College Graduation Poems | Examples
These College Graduation poems are examples of Graduation poems about College. These are the best examples of Graduation College poems written by international poets.
I was going to become a teacher
I thought it was my calling
I was young and thought it best
to go to university straight out of high school
before I'd go to teachers' college
Well... things did not go as planned
for better or for worse, who knows
I got sidetracked ended up taking a job
education got shelved for longer than expected
So I worked and launched a modest career
No guidance maybe no brains ~ who knows
But in the end I realized the truth ~
if you don't choose, life chooses for you
Go for your dreams or risk living with regrets
AP: Honorable Mention 2025
I can almost smell the fresh paint. That isn't possible however. That scent was almost 19 years ago… Butter Yellow was the name on the sample card. Rocking chair. Tiny pink booties.
Stickers hide butter yellow behind princesses, animals, stars, happy faces, everything adhesive. About 50 inches up the walls.. stickers and fingerprints. Giggles echo.
Spray paint and posters. Black light. Neon glow. Butter yellow, mostly invisible. A Disney princess peeks out from behind a band poster. Black clothes with silver chains and safety pins lay on the floor, Saturated in emotion.
Bright Butter yellow patches. Dark splotches where dust clings to sticker adhesive. A scattering of scotch tape with just the corner of a poster stuck underneath.Shapes pressed in carpet. My breathing sounds too loud.
Lifting your suitcase, I shut the door behind me.
Watched the graduation
Of my nephew via Zoom,
Along with many others
From afar, I would assume.
Heard the speeches, saw the march
Of students, one by one
And stuck with it until
The final exit walk was done.
How cool it was to witness
All the graduates receive
A fresh diploma filled with pride
And hope they must believe
Will help them find their path in life.
Whatever lies ahead,
At least they’ll have the memory
Of when their names were read.
Nostalgic about moving-on moments
my mind lingers at throwback scenes
milestones surpassing oblivion challenge.
1974... Kindergarten toga and cap propelled my steps
toward big brother’s elementary campus
midst anticipation of sumptuous recess-snacks.
1981... Triumphantly leading alma mater pledge
I then saluted fellow graduates
eager to roam along high school corridors.
1985... Absorbed by prepared valedictory address
my heart could never stop tears, yet I managed still
since commencement song would soon reverberate.
1989... Grateful to parents, my perpetual mentors
I handed their partnership university diploma and cum laude pin
delighting them for scholarship returns, indeed grants from the Lord.
1999... Charged with “Enter to learn, go forth to serve” pursuits
my faith accepted Bible College graduation's quest
Thus, I press* on, furthering kingdom of God --- all by His grace.
*Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Narrative in Tristich form
March 24, 2023
I barely can recall the day of my college graduation.
Even though my husband was my only comrade in attendance,
I felt proud to be with cum laude honors, sitting in a special section.
Also it’s a good thing all we graduates wore loose-fitting robes.
At the time of this event, I was almost eight months pregnant,
and I do believe that even in that flowing robe,
my pregnancy was showing!
It’s been decades since that day, which is why
I barely can recall a thing except for my feelings
of joy, accomplishment and pride – that despite the challenges
of raising a daughter for the prior three years, working part-time,
and even walking back and forth to college
(I’d still not learned to drive),
I had managed to complete the necessary courses
to the best of my ability and obtain my bachelor’s degree.
You can be a parent and you can have a job
and still do well in college.
It only takes desire, focus and energy.
I am proof of that; my education gave me a profession,
and never will I regret my efforts.
March 17, 2023
for Graduation Day Poetry Contest of Craig Cornish
At no time say never- that it is too late
fulfilling accomplishments you've left undone.
At times, what you long for is not met by fate;
Must tend to those wishes yourself- to be done.
I, married with children, had turned thirty-nine;
two went off to college, the other, soon too.
A gap in my life at this time seemed just fine
for me to reach out, a new venture pursue.
It took six long years- although what a great ride!
As a part-time student, in college, I bloomed-
with English BA, Business minor, my side-
rewards in my writing and work status zoomed.
At the graduation, my heart filled with cheer!
With summa cum laude, Nineteen eighty-four,
I walked on that stage with my family near-
all praising my courage for growth to explore.
At times, what you long for is not met by fate;
at no time say never- that it is too late.
Anapestic Tetrameter -/--/--/--/
Today is the first day of school
the summer too short at the pool
school days are long
this is so wrong
I think going to school isn’t cool
My father insists that I go
though I argued loud with a No
I squawk and squirm
I’m no bookworm
sure I know all there is to know
Dad threatened to kick me out
no matter my perfect pout
I’m no fool
went to school
now the classics I can spout
At university I excelled
never an instance was I expelled
got the knowledge
finished college
at graduation my Dad’s heart swelled
She awoke to dawn’s crispy rising,
her head filled with tasks for the day
and what she found surprising,
the time was here, come what may.
The eventful night must be perfection.
It was in the planning for ages.
Each detail sans objection,
having gone through many stages.
This graduation was like no other,
her eldest son with top honor.
Recalling his small voice, “Mother”,
a melancholy fell upon her.
The evening came, a noted benchmark.
The gaiety of youth lit the sky with dreams,
each other’s thought became hope’s spark.
A mother’s tears glittered down in streams.
Some say we’re in the hands of fate
But decisions yet to come
Will only prove that we create
The people we become
The future has an unseen face
And vague as it may seem
These years are ours to find a place
This is our time to dream
When he entered college that fall,
The light of knowledge cast its ray.
He learned how to stand proud and tall,
As he began paving his way.
The light of knowledge cast its ray
Over his young mind as he grew.
He worked throughout the night and day
To make sure that his dreams came true.
He learned how to stand proud and tall
In his time of graduation.
He then carried a mighty haul
Without any hesitation.
As he began paving his way,
He kept on running at full speed.
He continued to work and play,
And still helped those who were in need.
© 2021
I always hate it when someone I count on gets promoted out of my everyday life. Nothing bathes one in neoteny like being left behind by someone off to college.
One morning they’re with you, the next, they’ve departed - dropping away, like Icarus, into those freer, more exciting, college seas. Callie did that - it wasn’t her fault, exactly, that she was two years older. Man, I’ve missed her company.
I’m a vampire for her tales of sordid doings and it was fun telling her my everything so she could laugh at my mistakes. I’ve really missed her coaching - between my every romantic play.
Sometimes I’d pause in my studies or practice - those seemingly slow motion choreographies that'll lead to MY future - to glance across our joined yards where I can see her window.
I’d hope to see a light - like she broke camp, escaped her quarantine and somehow made it home - like the moon stepping out from behind the clouds.
A college degree is good to have
but it doesn't guarantee you anything
...except in some cases debt!
Tassels are turned, and caps are in the air,
High school ends just like that with a handshake.
This is a day we’ve been waiting to share
But now, everybody’s health is at stake.
With no parties, no way to celebrate,
How do we mark our great accomplishments?
Maybe by summer, we’ll see our classmates,
But then it’s on to college assignments.
Pack up, move out, now your life’s in a dorm.
Usually there are some hugs and tears.
First day of class is not the high school norm,
But we quickly find friends among new peers.
Corona, you’ve seized prom, graduation...
Please don’t touch our college education.
My Prayer:
JESUS, I give Praise, Thanks, Honor to You
Life is a life of SHALOM with Thee LORD
You are MY Defender, Healer, Master
You know me: I hated You through college
Then I began to teach Roman History
Yes, Constantine - not so great - helped show me
FAITH is a mysterious gift, not the head
Saul hated You - became Thy Missionary
By Thy Grace. I taste it daily, and new
Mercies come each dawn, love letters from You
We live this life in The Body by faith
Said Paul, Greek for Saul; I no longer live
But CHRIST lives in me, The Hope of Glory
I love my Hindu past, it taught me hours
Of sitting, meditating, I return
As "thanks" to Thee now. Help my Unbelief
Sweet blooms in golden hour's wake,
As a diploma is given with handshake.
To blue-gold skies over glassy lake,
Scarlet redbird, the clouds overtake!
Nature is alive, and so is the degree,
And just no telling what all will be!
Like midnight stars in afar enormity,
Or a new dawn that whispers, "destiny."
As overburdened trees drop the fruit,
When succulent ripeness is absolute,
So marches the young graduate, astute,
With keen precision and mind acute.
These are the times to watch so, oh!
Though up to now, it was touch and go.
Childhood's memory we'll always know,
In fond hearts, while it doesn't show.
As summer beckons and butterflies flit,
And dreamy green bowers songs transmit,
There is one vivid blossom I do admit,
Stands apart from all others, exquisite!
written in honor of my daughter's college
graduation in 2008