Congratulations, soon-to-be Weber State Alumni. Graduation is fast-approaching, and while all the technical details have hopefully been ironed out by now, here’s some advice for your parents and other loved ones, attending your ceremony. So hand the paper to Mom or Dad and take a break from reading.

First and foremost: Don’t try and make today about you.

It can be easy, in situations like this, to reminisce about your college days, but remember, this isn’t about you.

It’s certainly not the time to comment on how your child, English degree in hand, should’ve gone into pre-med.

Second, and I really hate to break it to you, but it might be time to consider returning your child’s room to its pre-college state.

According to a Pew Research Center study, as of 2014, 19 percent of college graduates return to live at home.

So along with tears of joy and pride, next weekend may also bring tears of sadness as you lose the sewing room when your graduate returns home.

Next up, plan in advance for heightened emotions. It’s likely been at least four years since you’ve seen your child in a cap and gown, so you’re bound to get a bit emotional.

This is alright. It happens to everyone. It is important to note, however, that there will not be tissues provided at the commencement ceremonies, so do remember to bring your own.

Yes, you read that right — ceremonies. As in more than one.

Which brings us to: Don’t assume that this will be a short affair.

Bright and early at 8:00 a.m. on the 28 is commencement. If this is a ceremony you plan on attending, you should prepare for a long ceremony.

Seeing as not all grads attend this one, it might be good to give you student a heads up that this is the one you’ll be attending, so they can plan accordingly.

Another thing to plan for is any young children you will bring to the commencement ceremony, and how they will stay entertained through the long ceremonies.

Most students, rather than attending commencement, will attend their college’s graduation: the smaller ceremonies that are specifically for their degree program and others like it.

Keep in mind that some students will inevitably want to attend both and that some colleges ceremonies overlap.

A complete schedule of the graduation events, including the graduation luncheon and the individual college ceremonies can be found at weber.edu/commencement.

Finally, how can you support your graduate through this transitional period of their life?

Perhaps the most obvious thing to do is be there. Be present and listen to the fears they may have. When they panic and fret over small things because of stress, help and reassure them, just like you did when they graduated high school and kindergarten. In the end, they asked you to come because they want you there.

There isn’t actually a right or wrong way to celebrate graduation with your child, so long as you show up and love them, that’s all that matters.