Convocation ceremonies have always been important moments for graduates and their families. They symbolise years of hard work, discipline and personal growth. While the traditional meaning of convocation remains the same, the way graduates celebrate this day is changing rapidly. Social media has become a powerful force that is reshaping how the event is planned, experienced and remembered.

In Malaysia, the influence of platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and X can now be seen clearly in universities during convocation season. The event, once centred on the formal ceremony, has expanded into a full-day and, sometimes, multi-day celebration designed to be shared with a much wider audience online. This shift reflects a global trend where social media plays a significant role in how people present their achievements and milestones.

Planning for the online moment

One of the biggest changes brought by social media is the level of preparation that goes into convocation content. Graduates today often begin planning weeks before the ceremony. Many study trending ideas, look up photography concepts, and explore popular hashtags to prepare their own posts. Some even coordinate outfits and colour themes that match the look they want to present online.

This preparation shows how convocation has expanded beyond a single ceremony into an exciting experience. Students are not only attending their graduation, but are also producing a digital record of it. The influence of social media encourages them to think about camera angles, lighting, creative transitions and memorable poses. As a result, the celebration becomes both a personal event and a public performance.

A rise in creative photography and videography

Photography has always played a role in convocation, but its purpose has grown significantly. In the past, most graduates were satisfied with formal portraits and group photos. Today, creative photography and short-form video content dominate the celebration. Drone shots, cinematic slow-motion clips, transitional TikTok videos and carefully staged group scenes have become common sights around the campus.

Professional photographers have adapted to this new demand by offering packages tailored specifically for social media platforms. These often include short video montages, edited clips designed for Reels or TikTok, and photo sessions in popular campus locations. The result is a lively environment where groups of graduates rehearse movements, coordinate poses and direct mini “scenes” throughout the day.

This shift has turned convocation into a more energetic and expressive event. Graduates feel encouraged to show their personalities, highlight their friendships and create fun memories that go beyond the traditional formality of the ceremony.

Bringing the celebration to a wider audience

Another significant impact of social media is the increased accessibility of convocation ceremonies. Many universities now livestream their events on platforms such as YouTube and Facebook, allowing relatives and friends who cannot attend in person to participate virtually. This is especially meaningful in Malaysia, where many students study far from home or have family members living overseas.

Through livestreams, instant updates and photo sharing, the celebration reaches a wider circle of people. Family members can send congratulations in real time, and friends can follow the event from afar. The online space becomes an extension of the physical ceremony, creating a shared experience that crosses geographical distances.

Pressures in the digital age

However, the increased involvement of social media also brings new challenges. The pressure to create visually appealing and impressive content may lead some graduates to feel stressed. Many graduates worry about how they will appear online, whether their photos look good enough and how their posts will turn out compared to others.

Some graduates also spend so much time preparing for online content that the actual ceremony becomes secondary. Instead of focusing on the academic achievement being recognised, they may find themselves more concerned about capturing the “perfect” moment.

Despite this, many students still feel that social media adds excitement and creativity to their convocation experience. For them, producing content is not simply about seeking attention, but it is a way to express pride and celebrate a major life milestone in a meaningful and personal way.

A digital collection of personal growth

Perhaps one of the most lasting contributions of social media is its ability to preserve memories. Convocation posts remain available online long after the ceremony ends, creating a digital archive that graduates can revisit in the future. These posts document not only the event itself but also the emotions, friendships and efforts that shaped their educational journey.

For many, scrolling back through their convocation content becomes a reminder of how far they have come. It reflects years of challenges, achievements and important relationships formed along the way. This digital memory often becomes one of the most valuable outcomes of the entire celebration.

A modern twist to the tradition

While the core of convocation stays traditional, social media has added a modern layer to the ceremony. It has transformed the event into a hybrid celebration that combines academic customs with digital creativity. Graduates today honour the formality of the occasion while also embracing a more expressive, connected and visually engaging way of celebrating.

As social media continues to evolve, the ways students celebrate convocation will likely continue to change. What remains certain is that convocation will always be a meaningful milestone but now it is one that lives both in the physical world and in the digital spaces that capture and share it.

-- BERNAMA

Nurzarina Abdul Samad (nurzarina@uthm.edu.my) is a Language Teacher at the Department of English Language and Linguistics, Centre for Language Studies, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM).