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I've got a somewhat odd question for law graduates.

I just graduated from a decent regional law school in my home state. I am preparing for the bar and already have a decent job doing the law I want to practice in an area I want to live. I have less than 10k in student loan debt and I'm very excited to start working. However, I really did not like my school and I really don't care to go back for graduation (though I only live about three hours drive away from the school). My family wants to see me walk and get together for the graduation weekend. I would just make the executive decision and not go but I am a little worried that I will regret it down the road. Any thoughts? I really just hated the culture of my law school and I hate the thought of spending more money on graduation regalia and gas money for my school when I could do something more enjoyable with my weekend. Am I being petty? Just suck it up and go?

I don't think you're being petty, but I would still go if I were you. I would go not only for your family but for yourself. Look at it as a huge accomplishment of yours and it's your day to feel proud--even if you didn't love your school or classmates. It's great that you're set up to be doing what you want; good luck!

Yeah, just suck it up and go for your family's benefit. I'm sorry you didn't like your school though!

Walking is for your family and friends, not you.

Or at least for me it was.

Go. If you go, there definitely won't be any regrets. But there is a good chance you'll regret it later. If only for how happy it would make your family and friends happy.

Plus....free fancy dinner.

Yeah, I'd go. I'm not particularly enthused about going to mine either (not because I hate my school or classmates or anything; I'd just rather spend the time doing something else) but it's not for you. It's for your friends and family. Just suck it up.

I didn't attend my high school graduation or my college graduation, and I don't plan on attending my law school graduation. I don't regret the first two (and I'm pretty sure I never will), but I also can't argue with the posters above who say that walking at graduation is for your family. It's up to you and your family dynamic whether you think that is a legitimate claim for them to make on you.

I didn't. Didn't affect me one bit. At some point later, wife and I went to pick it up and then we went to a nice restaurant to celebrate. That was good enough for us.

Now I've been to various graduations of my siblings. Those events were mostly for our mom. She seemed quite happy and proud. I was happy for my siblings, but dreaded sitting somewhere for 3 hours. Though eating and drinking afterward was always fun.