Graduation is nearly here and a cohort of students are about to embark on new lives as graduates.

We know that beginning graduate life can be an overwhelming time so we’ve chatted with a few of our alumni who give their top tips and their favourite graduation memories.

Sam Ruddock: Great Britain & N.I. Athlete, F35 Shot Put

Sam graduated from Loughborough in 2012 with a degree in International Relations. Sam is still based on-campus for athletics training. Did you know he competed at the Paralympic Games in 2012 and 2016?

What is your favourite Graduation memory?

“My favourite graduation memory is the football-like cheer that surfaced whilst walking to collect my degree, having just returned from the biggest Paralympic Games ever, it was humbling to be given such a reception from my fellow graduates.”

Do you have a Loughborough anecdote to share?

“In the winter of 2011, a few Halls decided to put the recent snowfall to good use. Through a Facebook group and word of mouth, a snowball war was declared to take place after dark, between two likely coalitions. Bill Mo and Harry French were to battle with Royce and Cayley for campus supremacy. Such was the promotion behind this clash, that news had reached the University, resulting in an email sent to all students, effectively cancelling the war. A Cold War, indeed!”

What would be your advice for 2017 Graduates?

“Use the experience and expertise that you’ve cultivated on this campus, to turn yourself into a valuable commodity. Plan, work and persevere to become so good at what you do, you’ll always be in demand.”

Dr Ozak Esu: Electrical Engineer, Cundall

Ozak graduated with a PhD in Electronic and Electrical Engineering from the University in 2016. She has recently been named on the “Top 50 Women in Engineering under 35” list. Her BEng degree is also from Loughborough.

What is your favourite Graduation memory?

“The obligatory ‘Loughborough University Experience’ video played at the beginning of the graduation day ceremony is bound to have you rolling back tears. It filled me with pride, and made me feel very privileged to be graduating from such an excellent world-class university and family.”

What would be your advice for 2017 Graduates?

“Congratulations and welcome to the post-graduation world! To succeed here, you have successfully completed the first step – graduating from a top university. To make it further, you need to dream big, believe in your dream, work hard and most importantly, be kind. Get a career mentor who inspires you, and inspire others by providing them with opportunities that helped you succeed.”

Ben Croucher: Assistant Producer, BBC TV Sports News

Ben graduated from Loughborough in 2010 with a degree in Sports Science with Management. He also sat on the Students’ Union Executive for one year. You can also check out Ben’s prospectus video online where he shares more about his Loughborough experience.

What is your favourite Graduation memory?

“My favourite graduation memory is the feeling of pride that my parents and sister had in being able to celebrate my success and share in a pretty special day for me. Loughborough was a real turning point for my life as a whole, not just the career it’s enabled me to have afterwards but also the friends and memories I made and the maturing I did during my four years. It was really special to be able to share a snippet of those four years with my family and to see how happy and proud I had made them. It made all the sacrifices and hours of graft so worthwhile.”

What would be your advice for 2017 Graduates?

“Savour every second of that graduation ceremony and the day as a whole. It’ll be the last time you’ll be surrounded by so many of your friends and classmates with whom you’ve grown with over the past few years. Don’t leave without taking that photo you’ve always wanted. Don’t forget your family – the day is one, if not the proudest, they will ever have so pander to their constant demands and make sure they enjoy it as much as you. And buy them a drink to say thanks for those last minute food shops and endless bags of laundry you kept bringing home.”

Graduating and leaving the university bubble can be a nerve-wracking time but with the help of your friends, family, fellow Loughborough graduates and your shiny new degree certificate, you have everything you need to head out into the world of work…or further study!

Once you have graduated, you will automatically become a member of the Loughborough Alumni Association, a community of over 160,000 graduates from around the world.

Make sure you stay in contact with the University and the Alumni Association online and via Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.