Leaving A Small Pond

The school year here in Japan ends at the end of March, which means it was time for the 3rd year students to say goodbye to their time in high school. Being a teacher attending a graduation for the first time really made me pause and reflect on my own experience graduating. 

I skipped my college graduation ceremony, I’d already graduated from a post secondary institution, Vancouver Film School, back in 2016 and couldn’t be bothered to pay for the cap and gown. Graduating from VFS was probably my favorite graduation ceremony, since it was more like an awards ceremony than anything. 

We were able to wear whatever we wanted, and they gave out a number of awards based on performance and academic excellence. If you won an award you could give a quick speech, and the rest of the class would cheer on whoever won. It was a really fun end to such an intense one year program and really felt like a celebration of finishing the program still in one piece. 

Graduating high school felt more like going through the motions than anything else. Our graduation felt absurdly long, clocking it at somewhere around 3 hours. We all had to dress in a cap and gown, which again, you have to pay for the privilege of renting the gown and buying this cap that doesn’t seem to fit anyone properly. 

We had to show up early to check in, put on our cap and gown, and then arrange ourselves alphabetically. My class of somewhere around 300 students was arranged into rows and seated on a big stage. I don’t remember the particular flow of the commencement, but I’m sure the principal gave a speech, maybe one of the teachers, then our valedictorian. 

Then the longest part of the ceremony, calling out the name of each student, having them walk across the stage to receive their diploma, then returning to their seat. This was definitely the bulk of the ceremony, and given the number of students it takes about as long as you might expect, somewhere around 2 hours. 

After having my name called and getting my diploma, and an experience that really wasn’t all that exciting, I ended up on my phone browsing the internet or social media to pass the time. I would perk up and clap or cheer when the name of one of my friends was called, but aside from that I was thoroughly disinterested. 

I had to watch my sister go through a similar process back when she graduated, and I had even less interest then. I had to sit through a graduation that felt endless just to watch my sister cross the stage for about 2 whole minutes. This certainly didn’t help me become excited for my own graduation, in fact, I rather dreaded the whole thing. 

I didn’t dread it because I didn’t want to graduate, I dreaded it because it felt inauthentic. With a class of around 300 students, I didn’t even know the names of many of the students. Some of the people that I shared a stage with might as well have been a total stranger. It felt strange trying to pretend we all shared some common bond just because we were born around the same time. 

I did have a connection with many of my peers, but that only extended to maybe 50 classmates at most. People that I had gotten to know through programs like band or drama I really felt connected to. My last classes in those subjects felt far more impactful than any stuffy graduation.

So, now at 26 years old, almost 10 years removed from my own high school graduation, it was a peculiar feeling finding myself at another high school graduation, though this time as a teacher. I was told to arrive at 8:30, though the ceremony wouldn’t start until 10. Many of the other teachers were helping with setting up, or getting the students organized. I tried to stay out of the way and avoid yawning, sorely missing my morning coffee. 

At this school I was only teaching the 1st year students, so my opportunities to interact with the 3rd year students were exceedingly limited. I figured most of the student’s wouldn’t have even known my name. So my investment in the graduation was rather low, mostly interested in how the culture here in Japan might be reflected in their graduation traditions. 

Around 9 I was able to go find a seat in the auditorium. Apparently, most years the graduation ceremony is held in the school gym. This year however, the dates for entrance exams, exams held to determine if students are eligible to attend our high school, were different from previous years. This meant the school didn’t have time to set up the gym for the ceremony, and so it was held at the city’s music hall. 

It was quite the nice auditorium with plenty of seats available. I watched as it slowly filled up with parents and siblings. I felt a little embarrassed being the only teacher who was already seated, but I doubted I would be much help even if I offered my assistance. Between the language barrier and having no idea what this ceremony entails, I’d be more of a hindrance than help. 

When the ceremony finally began, I was already struggling to keep my eyes open. I was curious what the graduation would entail, but I also knew it would be all in Japanese, and more formal, complicated Japanese at that. Thankfully their ceremony was much shorter than mine, being only around an hour or so. 

The 3rd year homeroom teachers lead in each of their classes, one at a time, until all the 3rd year students are seated. The students wear their everyday school uniforms, while the staff are all in formal wear, with one of the homeroom teachers dressing up in a kimono. Once seated, we were asked to stand for (I assume) the Japanese national anthem. After the anthem the 3rd year homeroom teachers called out the names of the students in their class, with each student standing and responding “Hai!” when their name was called.

Next was the gauntlet of speeches, and where I had the hardest time staying awake. First was the principal, who said an English phrase of “No pressure, no diamonds”. That was the first and last thing I would be able to take away from the series of speeches. Next were the guests, the head of the PTA, a student representative, and some others whose titles I couldn’t catch. 

Each speaker required the whole auditorium to stand and bow, to display proper respect I imagine. When someone took to the stage there was a series of bows to the principals, the graduating class, the national flag, then one more bow for good measure in front of the podium and microphone. 

Finally, one student gave a speech facing the principal, and collected the diplomas on behalf of the entire graduating class. Perhaps less dramatic, and not exactly the photo op moment that all parents dream of, but certainly more efficient. 

After that, things came to a swift close with everyone standing for (I assume) the school song. The homeroom teachers led their students through the aisles, with parents and teachers clapping for them. Then the parents filed out into the foyer for a bit of a reception with students chatting with their family and friends. Everyone seemed to be in high spirits, and it made for quite the nice sight. 

All in all, it seemed like a nice ceremony. Different in the particulars from my own experience for sure, but certainly similar in spirit. I hoped the students were able to enjoy their remaining time together, as I’m sure they’d be going their separate ways as they entered college or joined the workforce. 

Graduating high school feels like a big transition as students prepare to leave behind their childhoods and become young adults. College is certainly appealing as a similar structure that still provides greater freedom. Like training wheels, allowing you ease into adulthood. Entering the workforce full time is like being thrown into the deep end, especially if you need to help support yourself or your family. 

All of a sudden, you’re no longer the big fish in a small pond, you’re a small fish in an endless ocean. You’re not a child anymore, and it’s time to see what lessons you’ve learned, or still need to learn as you enter adulthood. Will you find your school of fish and find a new community, or try to swim against the current and make waves? The world’s your oyster, but the ocean can be a cold unforgiving place, and it’s time to find out if you’ll sink or swim.