It’s the day students look forward to since first stepping foot on campus: Graduation day. To make it as stress-free as possible, here are some helpful tips for grads to be.

Where will commencement be?

This year, commencement will be held in the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center. The switch will provide more space for guests, said Lisa O’Connell, the director of University Events and Protocol. Each graduate gets six guest tickets for the ceremony, and seating is first come, first served.

Where do graduates check in?

Graduates check in back in the MAC Annex. Water will be available for graduates at check-in, and comfortable shoes are recommended.

What will seating look like?

The university expects 21,000 people to attend its six commencement ceremonies. Because seating is first come, first served, doors will open an hour before the ceremony.

What is the setting?

The venue will have audience-style seating with a stage, center aisle and large screens to ensure all guests have a good view.

How long will the ceremony take?

A lot of graduates will need to walk that stage. So, expect the ceremony to last roughly 90 minutes.

When will people get their real diplomas?

When graduates walk across the stage, they’re really just getting a diploma cover. Digital diplomas will arrive from Parchment Inc. approximately 4-5 weeks after commencement. Notification will be sent to graduates via their Kent State email. Paper diplomas will be mailed separately to the permanent address on file 7-10 days after a graduate receives their digital diploma.

Will there be any vendors?

A company called The Commencement Group will sell floral arrangements, teddy bears, T-shirts and commemorative necklaces for graduates and guests on ceremony day.

When is each college’s commencement ceremony?

May 9 at 6 p.m. – Advanced Degrees Commencement for all colleges

May 10 at 6 p.m. – Undergraduate Degrees Commencement for the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Communication and Information

May 11 at 10 a.m. – Undergraduate Degrees Commencement for the College of Aeronautics and Engineering, the College of the Arts and the College of Nursing

May 11 at 2 p.m. –  Undergraduate Degrees Commencement for the College of Architecture and Environmental Design and the College of Education, Health and Human Services

May 11 at 6 p.m. – Undergraduate Degrees Commencement for the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship and the College of Applied and Technical Studies

May 17 at 1 p.m. – The College of Podiatric Medicine (in Cartwright Hall at the Kent campus)

Alton Northup is a campus editor. Contact him at [email protected].