How To Wear Your Tassel For College Graduation (Ultimate Guide For Graduates)
Wondering how to wear your tassel for college graduation? This post is for you!
OMG, graduation day is almost here, and you’re probably asking yourself, “how do I wear my tassel for the ceremony?”
Don’t worry, every graduate has the same question. I know I did even before the graduation ceremony for my Master’s degree in higher education!
You might be surprised to learn there’s more to it than simply attaching it to your cap! College traditions, like the turning of your tassel, are super important, so that’s why I’ve created this ultimate guide to help you (using my knowledge as a former higher education professional).
So keep reading to get all the info you need so you can have the epic graduation you’ve been dreaming of since you started school!
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How to Wear Your Tassel for College Graduation
*Sings Beyonce Irreplaceable* “to the right, to the right.”
Your tassel should be on the right side.
To start, attach your tassel to the graduation cap (also known as a mortarboard caps) using an elastic band, and make sure it hangs on the right side if you are a college or high school graduate.
Attaching the tassel to your graduation cap
Adding your tassel to your graduation cap is really easy and simple!
Here’s a quick step-by-step guide:
- Locate the loop at one end of the tassel.
- Find the button at the top center of your graduation cap.
- Slide the tassel’s loop around this button, ensuring it’s secure.
- Adjust your tassel so that it hangs on the right side of your cap.
- Make sure your tassel can move freely and it sits comfortably on the side of your cap.
What side does the tassel go on when you graduate college?
At the beginning of the commencement ceremony, undergraduate students place their tassels on the right side of their caps.
After graduates have been honored, you will move your tassel to the left side. This is a traditional practice that signifies the academic journey completion for the graduates.
Remember, to keep your graduation tassel on your right side.
It should hang neatly over the corner to avoid blocking your view or distracting you during the commencement address.
What side does the tassel go on before you graduate masters?
For the graduation ceremony for higher degrees like a Master’s or Doctoral degree, graduates decorate their mortarboard a bit differently.
Since these are advanced educational accomplishments, graduates will place their special tassels on the left side of the cap throughout the whole graduation ceremony.
This different placement represents not just an undergraduate milestone but an accomplishment at a higher educational level!
These degrees take an immense amount of time, energy, and experience, so graduates receive a special honor to highlight their accomplishments.
How many tassels to wear at graduation?
Every graduate only wears one tassel at graduation. This is a part of your academic regalia (aka graduation gown, grad cap, and even things like graduation cords and stoles.)
If you have double majors, you do not require two tassels or additional tassels – each graduate wears just one.
What do tassel colors mean?
Each graduation tassel color has symbolic meanings that represent their individual academic achievements and fields of study.
Depending on your university, you may have tassel colors based on your college, major, different disciplines, and/or degrees which you are receiving for your accomplishments.
In general, here is a breakdown of the tassel colors and their meanings:
| Arts and Letters | White |
| Business, Finance, Marketing | Drab (tan) |
| Communication, Journalism | Crimson |
| Economics | Copper |
| Education, Counseling | Light Blue |
| Engineering | Deep Orange |
| Fine Arts, Theater | Brown |
| Law | Purple |
| Music | Pink |
| Nursing | Apricot (light orange) |
| Computer Science, Math, Physics | Gold |
| Physical Education | Sage Green |
💡Here’s a Gem: You’ll receive information about which tassel color you need when you go to order your graduation attire. Usually, colleges have an event called a “grad fair” where you can buy your attire closer to your graduation date.
How to put on a graduation cap for college and high school graduates
Graduating from college or high school is a huge milestone!
You should be immensely proud of yourself whether you’re receiving an undergraduate degree, a professional degree, or your high school diploma.
Just know, I’m so proud of you ❤️
I know how nerve-racking it can be on graduation day, so I’ve created this quick guide so you can look your best wearing your graduation tassel on your big day:
Step 1: First thing, try on your graduation cap and make sure it’s the right size and fit.
There’s nothing worse than a bad-fitting graduation cap. It should be at least one inch above your eyebrow to be the right fit.
Step 2: Attach the graduation tassel to the top of your graduation cap and make sure it stays in place even when you move around.
Go back to the tips I shared at the beginning of the article for a good idea of how to do this.
Step 3: If you’re graduating from high school or undergrad, place the tassel on the right side of your cap before the commencement ceremony begins.
Step 4: Brush out any wrinkles in your grad tassel.
Gently brush the tassel so it looks nice and neat!
Step 5: Practice wearing your grad cap with the tassel.
Before graduation day, spend some time practicing how to wear your cap so it doesn’t feel weird. You should also figure out what hairstyle you’re gonna wear and try your cap on with the hairstyle to make sure it fits!
💡Here’s A Gem: Skip the top-knot buns for graduation day. Keep it super simple with your graduation hair so your hat can fit without slipping off. If you’re worried about it falling off, using bobby pins is a great way to secure it to your hair.
Step 4: During the ceremony, follow along with the graduation speaker as they instruct you to turn your tassels.
This is often referred to as “the turning of the tassel.”
(AKA the best part of graduation)
Step 5: Move your tassel from the right side to the left side!
Step 6: Enjoy every moment!
You’ve worked hard to get here, now it’s your time to enjoy the moment, soak up all the love, and live it up.
You did it!
How to put on a graduation cap for post-graduates (masters and doctorate)
If you’re getting your masters degree or are a doctoral graduate, then is a whole other level of accomplishment I know you’re feeling. (my graduate cohort members and I were honestly just relieved to finally be done!)
You’ve probably done this before, but here’s a quick refresher:
- Attach your tassel to the left side of your cap: For Master’s and Doctorate degrees, the tassel should be on the left side of your cap throughout the entire commencement ceremony.
- Style your hair to best fit the cap: Make sure your hairstyle will work with the graduation cap. Go for something simple, so it fits well and you don’t have to worry about your cap falling or not fitting.
- Position your cap correctly: Make sure your cap sits one inch above your eyebrows and fits comfortably on your head.
- Remember to switch sides during the “turning of the tassel“: When it’s time to turn the tassel, you’ll move it from the left side of your cap to the right side!
Frequently Asked Questions: How to Wear Your Tassel for College Graduation
When you turn the tassel during your graduation ceremony, it’s normal to say “Congratulations!” or even yell out your excitement! There is no specific phrase that everyone says during the symbolic moment.
When you move your tassel from the right side of your graduation cap to the left side, it is known as the “turning of the tassel.” This moment symbolizes a significant milestone in your academic journey and marks the official recognition of your graduation.
You only need one tassel for college graduation. It’s worn on the right side of your cap before the ceremony starts.
When receiving a bachelor’s degree, graduates wear their tassel on the right side of their cap before the official moment of graduation and then switch it to the left side after receiving their diploma.
If your tassel falls off during the ceremony, simply pick it up discreetly and reattach it to the designated side of your graduation cap.
Absolutely, it is yours! To honor this special day consider display it in a shadow box or attaching it to a photo from your big day.
This post was your ultimate guide for how to wear your tassel for college graduation! Happy graduating friend!
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