Graduation Checklist

The weeks before graduation have a particular energy: pride, relief, nostalgia, and a growing list of things that need doing. Some are formal, with deadlines that can delay your degree if missed. Others are practical, such as moving out, closing accounts and keeping the records you will need for years. And some are personal: saying thank you, staying in touch and giving yourself a moment to feel what you have achieved. This checklist gathers them in one place so that nothing slips through.

Requirements differ by college and country, so check your own institution's rules. This checklist is general and quotes no fees or dates. If you are graduating from a program with special requirements, such as a thesis, placement or professional exam, add those to your list.

Degree and academic requirements

• [ ] Check your degree audit or equivalent against your program requirements. Ask your adviser or registrar to confirm that you are on track.
• [ ] Apply to graduate by the deadline, if your college requires a formal application. Some do not allow you to graduate otherwise.
• [ ] Resolve incomplete grades, holds and outstanding requirements.
• [ ] Submit final assignments, theses or portfolios and any required library deposits.
• [ ] Check name and contact details for your diploma. Make sure your legal name is correct and spelled as you want it printed.
• [ ] Clear holds on your account: library fines, parking, housing or financial holds can block transcripts and diplomas.
• [ ] Return borrowed equipment and library books.
• [ ] Complete exit surveys or exit counseling if required.
• [ ] Confirm how and when you will receive your diploma, and the address it will go to.

Transcripts, records and verification

• [ ] Request official transcripts. Order extra copies if you plan to apply for jobs, further study or licensing.
• [ ] Save unofficial transcripts and course descriptions. Syllabi and descriptions may be needed later for credit transfer or applications.
• [ ] Ask how employers can verify your degree. Many use a clearinghouse or the registrar.
• [ ] Save digital copies of key assignments, projects and portfolio pieces, as you may lose access to college systems.
• [ ] Download your records from learning platforms.
• [ ] Find out how to obtain replacement diplomas and records in the future.

Ceremony and celebrations

• [ ] Check ceremony details: date, time, location, tickets and dress.
• [ ] Order a cap and gown, or rent, by the deadline.
• [ ] Register guests and plan travel.
• [ ] Arrange accessibility needs for you or your guests.
• [ ] Book photographs if you want them.
• [ ] Plan celebrations, within your budget. Our budgeting section can help.
• [ ] Ask about alternatives if you cannot attend. Degrees are usually conferred regardless of attendance.
• [ ] Thank people who helped you: lecturers, advisers, family, friends and mentors.

Money and loans

• [ ] List your student loans and find your servicers.
• [ ] Complete exit counseling for federal loans, if required.
• [ ] Find out when repayment begins and your grace period, if any.
• [ ] Choose a repayment plan and set up payments.
• [ ] Update your contact details with lenders and servicers.
• [ ] Make a post-graduation budget.
• [ ] Build or protect an emergency fund.
• [ ] Review your bank account. Student accounts may change after graduation. Our student banking section explains how to compare options.
• [ ] Check your credit report and start building credit if needed.
• [ ] Settle outstanding bills and fees with the college.
• [ ] File taxes correctly, including education forms. Our taxes section covers the US, UK and Canada.
• [ ] Check scholarships and grants for conditions, such as notification of graduation.

Housing

• [ ] Check your lease or housing contract for move-out dates and rules.
• [ ] Plan where you will live next.
• [ ] Give proper notice to your landlord.
• [ ] Arrange movers, storage or a van.
• [ ] Sell, donate or recycle items you do not need.
• [ ] Clean the property to the required standard.
• [ ] Take dated photographs of the condition at move-out.
• [ ] Return keys as instructed.
• [ ] Ask about the deposit and the timeline for its return.
• [ ] Cancel or transfer utilities and internet. Take final meter readings.
• [ ] Redirect your mail.

Health and insurance

• [ ] Find out when your student health coverage ends.
• [ ] Arrange new coverage to avoid a gap.
• [ ] Book health, dental and eye appointments before coverage changes.
• [ ] Refill prescriptions and get copies of medical records and vaccination records.
• [ ] Note mental health resources you will have after graduation, as campus counseling may end.
• [ ] Update emergency contacts.
• [ ] Check other insurance: renters, travel and device. Our insurance guides in the taxes section explain.

Career and networking

• [ ] Update your resume, and add recent experiences. Our resumes and interviews section has guides.
• [ ] Update your professional profile online.
• [ ] Visit the careers service and ask how long you can use it after graduation.
• [ ] Ask for references and recommendations from lecturers and supervisors while they remember you well.
• [ ] Join the alumni network.
• [ ] Collect contact details of mentors, classmates and professionals.
• [ ] Set up a job search plan.
• [ ] Save job leads and applications.
• [ ] Check post-study work visa options and deadlines if you are an international graduate. Contact your international office before you graduate.

Accounts, software and subscriptions

• [ ] Check how long your college email lasts, and set up a personal professional email address.
• [ ] Forward or export important emails and contacts.
• [ ] Save files from college storage and cloud accounts.
• [ ] Check software and library access that ends at graduation.
• [ ] Cancel or convert student subscriptions and discounts.
• [ ] Update accounts that use your college email: banking, loans, applications, professional profiles.
• [ ] Change passwords and security settings, as needed.
• [ ] Check student discounts that will end and plan replacements.

Documents to keep

Keep these in a safe, accessible place, physical and digital:

• [ ] Diploma or certificate.
• [ ] Transcripts.
• [ ] Student loan paperwork and servicer details.
• [ ] Tax forms for education.
• [ ] Lease, deposit receipts and utility records.
• [ ] Insurance documents.
• [ ] Passport, visas and work authorization documents.
• [ ] Reference letters and performance reviews.
• [ ] Portfolio and project files.
• [ ] Medical and vaccination records.

Personal tasks and wellbeing

• [ ] Say goodbye and thank you to people who mattered.
• [ ] Exchange contact details with friends.
• [ ] Take photographs and keep mementos.
• [ ] Reflect on what you learned, and what you want next.
• [ ] Give yourself time to rest before diving into the next stage.
• [ ] Talk about mixed feelings. Graduation can bring excitement and sadness, even anxiety about the future. These are normal.
• [ ] Seek support if you feel low or overwhelmed. Talk to friends, family, advisers or a counselor.
• [ ] Plan a small celebration that suits you.

A timeline you can follow

One or two terms before:

• Check degree requirements and graduation application deadlines.
• Meet your adviser.
• Begin job or further study applications.
• Start building savings.

Two to three months before:

• Apply to graduate, order cap and gown, and register guests.
• Plan housing and moving.
• Start a post-graduation budget.
• Visit the careers service.
• Ask for references.

One month before:

• Order transcripts.
• Arrange notice of move-out.
• Sort health and insurance.
• Back up files and records.
• Check loans and exit counseling.

Final week:

• Clear holds, return items and clean.
• Take photos and say goodbyes.
• Attend the ceremony.

After graduation:

• Confirm diploma delivery.
• Start repayment preparations.
• Update your address everywhere.
• Review your job search plan.
• Stay in touch with your network.

Common mistakes

• Missing the graduation application deadline.
• Unresolved holds that block your diploma.
• Forgetting about health coverage.
• Not saving files before access ends.
• Not planning where to live.
• Ignoring loan paperwork.
• Skipping thank-yous.

Final thoughts

Graduation is a milestone worth marking, and a transition worth planning. Work through the formal tasks first, then money, housing, health and career. Keep records and stay in touch with the people who helped you. Allow yourself to enjoy the moment. The work you did to get here deserves recognition.