Is your college graduation cap going to be like everybody else’s?

After spending the last few years in college, you deserve better than that.

Your graduation day is significant because it means you’re closer to your career aspirations. After all those sleepless nights studying and working on assignments that felt like they were never going to end, you made it through in one piece!

Basic prepping for the day involves getting the perfect dress, your hair and makeup done, and of course, your gown and cap ready.

But wouldn’t it be great to add a little something special to your cap as well?

What’s the Significance of a Unique Graduation Cap Design?

Five words – Stand. Out. From. The. Crowd.

Back in the 14^thand 15^thcenturies, the graduation cap (sometimes called a mortarboard) was worn mostly by artists and studentsand it represented intelligence and superiority. They were a symbol of honor.

And nowadays? It is still an honor to wear your gown and cap in front of your peers. This is a special moment not only for you but for your loved ones as well. Some of them might have even witnessed you pushing through those sleepless nights.

It only makes sense then to truly honor this day. And of course, one way to honor it is with your look.

The best part about designing your graduation cap is that you can have fun with it. You can put in flowers, your favorite quotes, your moto…let your imagination go wild!

Before you start working on those designs, I think it’s important to give you a few pointers – just to make sure that you go about this the right way.

The Dos and Don’ts on Graduation Cap Designs

Do: Let it Represent Who You Are

We’re starting with this point because it’s important that the design represents you. Your friend’s design may be great and all, but is it who YOU are? And don’t worry about following a certain trend if that trend doesn’t connect to your personality.

Thanks to our smartphones and the internet, this significant moment will be documented and remembered forever. So, you want to make sure that whatever design you decide on truly represents who you are. You don’t want to look back on such an important day and regret what you wore.

Do: Make It Meaningful

Remember that your graduation day is not only about the past few years in college, but also about the future you have ahead of you. So, when you’re deciding on the decorations or designs, make it meaningful, something worth framing and placing next to your diploma or degree.

Don’t: Do It the Night Before

Oh, ladies. This is a major no-no. You’re bound to have major jitters for your graduation. The last thing you want to do is put more pressure on yourself by designing the cap the night before! So, maybe you’re busy and have a ton of things to do before the big day? What you want to do then is to stock up on your decorations well in advance and then little by little, start designing your cap.

Don’t: Include Many Different Themes

You love your family. You love your school. You love your future career. And you love your dog. Surely, it’s okay to include all these representations of what you love on your college graduation cap?

One word – no. The best designs have one central theme. Doing too much will end up looking like you tried too much. Pick the one message you really want to convey and go for it.

Now that you’re clear on the do’s and don’ts, let’s get into some fun college graduation cap designs to give you some inspiration.

Source: Design Press

Whether she had all the support she needed, or she didn’t, this graduate kept it moving and in the end, it all paid off.

Source: Pinterest

Going back to school isn’t easy. You’ll go through a lot of hardships and making it to the other side will at times feel impossible. But you keep at it. You study. You take those long nights. You do what you have to do – You take care of business!

Source: Pinterest

If you’re a first-generation college grad, this moment is not only yours. This is for your whole family, including your ancestors. You’ve made everyone proud and can wear your cap to show off this pride.

Source: Pinterest

This one’s obviously dedicated to the Beyhive. Maybe Beyonce was her inspiration. Maybe she used to listen to her music when studying?

Source: Pinterest

This one’s definitely one of my favorites because every Back To School Divais a queen. No matter what you’ve been through, never forget that. You should wear your cap-crown proudly.

Source: Teen Vogue

This a quote from Beyonce’s “formation” song. Great quote to live by. Stay gracious. Stay a diva.

Source: Pinterest

This is definitely for the ladies out there with a good sense of humor. In college, you will learn a lot of things. Not just in class, but about life in general. Let’s hope you remember it all…or at least, most of it.

Source: Texas State University

There’s a certain energy that fills the air on graduation day. That excitement has a lot to do with the fact that you’re now closer to your career aspirations. Take in this moment. Be present while also looking ahead at the wonderful future you have ahead of you.

Source: Pinterest

Okay, this may be a little funny, but have you ever had a moment where you feel like you just don’t know what you’re doing? Well, keep pushing until you do!

Source: Shutterfly

Sometimes, all the motivation you’ll need is knowing that there’s a higher power looking over you, guiding and protecting you. If you believe that a higher power helped you get this far, why not proudly display it on your cap?

Source: Pinterest

We’ve all heard about the growing student loan debt. Finances are part of the reason why so many people end up either dropping out of college, or not going at all. That’s why I’m really passionate about sharing scholarship tipswith you divas.

Source: Pinterest

Okay, so maybe this Diva didn’t have the best of times in college?

There a plenty more fun and exciting graduation cap designs that will help you end college with a bang. Hope that these pics gave you some inspiration.

Whatever design you decide on, make sure that it’s uniquely you. Make sure that it’s one fit for the diva you are.