Graduation Gifts

[JohnUC33]

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As the semester ends, many of us are getting ready to graduate from our undergraduate universities/colleges. If money was not a factor, what would you want your parents to get you for a graduation present?

I'll go first, I would like either a new set of chrome rims for my car or to have my car paid off. But if I get neither, I can't complain cause (although I worked myself) my parents have already helped me get the best graduation gift: a debt free education

 

[OSUdoc08]

As the semester ends, many of us are getting ready to graduate from our undergraduate universities/colleges. If money was not a factor, what would you want your parents to get you for a graduation present?

I'll go first, I would like either a new set of chrome rims for my car or to have my car paid off. But if I get neither, I can't complain cause (although I worked myself) my parents have already helped me get the best graduation gift: a debt free education

Laptop (this is what I got)

 

[MossPoh]

I still have a year left but I have basically been assured that I get nada. I mean I can't blame them...30,000 a year plus a 2002 toyota highlander handmedown....I can't complain.

 

[noshie]

My parents are gonna get me another new car for graduation (they got me a camry for my high school grad). Dont think that I am spoiled however, I have worked since I was 15 and worked two jobs when I started college because I didnt want my parents to pay for my expenses other than college tuition. I love my daddy! ( I am an only child so maybe a tad spoiled) 😳

 

[JasonUD]

A house in the Hamptons, a pet Elephant and an Aston Martin DB9 convertable...its nice to dream

 

[HunterGatherer]

was going to ask for a laptop but decided to get one when i saw exactly what i wanted on sale. So just hoping for a little $$$. 😀

 

[mshheaddoc]

damn I wish I had the life ... when I graduated I got $75K in loans as well as I bought a used maxima for $12.5K from my parents. I had been "borrowing" the mean green mini-van for my senior year (only) so I could get a job off campus and make some $$ to pay for living expenses.

i did get $500 in stock that my mom gifted me. but now (5 years later) its only worth $525

 

[kaikai128]

I think that my parents pitched in a got me a Hallmark card. They then gave themselves a pat on the back for NOT having to spend a cent on my college education, or help pay for a car, or insurance, or housing, or anything else after I turned 18.

Then, they gave me the advice of getting a job and "forgetting this whole medical school thing" because "you're not that smart" and "You can't chase dreams forever." 2 more weeks and I'm done with first year!!!!

 

[Dr JPH]

My parents gave me the gift of a strong upbringing and solid moral teachings so that my youth was not wasted and I could become the person that I am today. They dont have to give me anything else nor would I ask them to.

 

[OSUdoc08]

I think that my parents pitched in a got me a Hallmark card. They then gave themselves a pat on the back for NOT having to spend a cent on my college education, or help pay for a car, or insurance, or housing, or anything else after I turned 18.

Then, they gave me the advice of getting a job and "forgetting this whole medical school thing" because "you're not that smart" and "You can't chase dreams forever." 2 more weeks and I'm done with first year!!!!

That's awful.

 

[KyleSBU]

if i had the money id want a house

 

[OSUdoc08]

if i had the money id want a house

Why, if you're moving for residency in a few years anyway?

I would have never had time to maintain a house in medical school.

 

[Hernandez]

Why, if you're moving for residency in a few years anyway?

I would have never had time to maintain a house in medical school.

it's not that hard, and it costs less per month than renting AND it will be possible to recoup almost all of that when you sell it. Houses rarely depreciate.

 

[DragonWell]

I graduated about ten years ago, but oh well.

Sony E Book Reader

2nd generation e book reader.... think I-pod, but for books. Last time I flew my "traveling library" caused my bag to be overweight...I needed this thing like yesterday.

E-ink - so cool, once the text is on the screen requires no power at all. Also no screen flicker, it really is like ink.

As long as Sony doesn't cripple it with DRM, I'm there. (and even if they do, I'm sure there'll be a cheaper Chinese knock off that'll do all the things Sony doesn't want you to be able to do.) 😉 Retail ~$350, coming soon to a store near you.

 

[jace's mom]

Pay off my credit card bills.

I know it's lame, but caring for a family of 6 doesn't leave me much in the way of creativity. 🙄

 

[DOctorJay]

I graduated about ten years ago, but oh well.

Sony E Book Reader

2nd generation e book reader.... think I-pod, but for books. Last time I flew my "traveling library" caused my bag to be overweight...I needed this thing like yesterday.

E-ink - so cool, once the text is on the screen requires no power at all. Also no screen flicker, it really is like ink.

As long as Sony doesn't cripple it with DRM, I'm there. (and even if they do, I'm sure there'll be a cheaper Chinese knock off that'll do all the things Sony doesn't want you to be able to do.) 😉 Retail ~$350, coming soon to a store near you.

why wouldn't you just get a nice Palm that has the same functionality as a book reader plus an amazing amount more?

 

[DragonWell]

why wouldn't you just get a nice Palm that has the same functionality as a book reader plus an amazing amount more?

One could ask the same question of mp3 players. For me,

1. I love new gadgets. But more practically :

2. Battery life - days/weeks compared to hours. Juice is only when the display changes, so battery life is measured by "page turns" supposedly around ~10,000 per charge.

3. Screen refresh rate - there is none. The palm display is fine for certain things, but ever try reading a novel on one? I don't think that'd be a fun experience. Also, unlike an LCD, the e-ink display won't washout in sunlight.

The price point is too high, as it always is for new technology. That why I'll look for the knock off's to come.

 

[alex2300]

My parents bought me a brand new BMW Z4 for finishing my MS. degree. I really didn't expect that kind of a present! 😀

 

[MikeyLu2010]

I think that my parents pitched in a got me a Hallmark card. They then gave themselves a pat on the back for NOT having to spend a cent on my college education, or help pay for a car, or insurance, or housing, or anything else after I turned 18.

Then, they gave me the advice of getting a job and "forgetting this whole medical school thing" because "you're not that smart" and "You can't chase dreams forever." 2 more weeks and I'm done with first year!!!!

wow kai...that sounds brutal...but congrats on finishing your first year 😀 i'll hopefully see you come august when my first year starts

 

[DOctorJay]

One could ask the same question of mp3 players. For me,

1. I love new gadgets. But more practically :

2. Battery life - days/weeks compared to hours. Juice is only when the display changes, so battery life is measured by "page turns" supposedly around ~10,000 per charge.

3. Screen refresh rate - there is none. The palm display is fine for certain things, but ever try reading a novel on one? I don't think that'd be a fun experience. Also, unlike an LCD, the e-ink display won't washout in sunlight.

The price point is too high, as it always is for new technology. That why I'll look for the knock off's to come.

my Palm should weigh in close to 150 pounds based on the number of books I have on my memory card - it's not hard to read on it and I typically read all my class powerpoints on it to study when away from my pc. Sorry, I just don't see the point of the ebook when you could get something with so much more function unless, as you state, you just love gadgets.

 

[ISUbus1doc]

since this is a medical forum of sorts....

I got new eyes....LASEK...so you could say they gave me the gift of sight

 

[Raven Feather]

I won't get nor expect to get anything. My only gift will be having my Mom and the rest of my family watch as I walk across that stage to receive my degree.

For those of you who do receive more material things, count yourself lucky and never take anything for granted.

 

[OSUdoc08]

since this is a medical forum of sorts....

I got new eyes....LASEK...so you could say they gave me the gift of sight

Is that like a discount LASIK? Did it still work?

 

[nrddct]

I'm graduating with a masters, my parents have no idea.

 

[ISUbus1doc]

Is that like a discount LASIK? Did it still work?

No....its the same laser, just a different cornea prep...
It has worked like a charm, as good or better vision than when I had contacts.

 

[csox84]

I graduated last saturday and ... well I'll admit I am a bit spoiled, but I think it's more b/c my parents want to give me and my siblings what they couldn't when we were younger.

Anyway, I originally wanted a laptop, but they surprised me with that for Christmas. So for graduation I got a new car 🙂 2005 grand prix ... My brother helped my parents pick it b/c he always knows what I would like. They are also helping me pay for appartment and living expenses for the first month I'm in NJ. From then on out I'll be on my own, but I can't complain.

So, yeah, I'm spoiled, I'll admit it, but at the same time, I would have been perfectly happy with the fact that they came to a very long and boring graduation (our speaker was HORRIBLE) just to see me walk across a stage. just knowing how happy they were made my day 🙂

 

[MeBen]

At my grad for my MBA, my father said, " Go get a job now."

 

[kaikai128]

wow kai...that sounds brutal...but congrats on finishing your first year 😀 i'll hopefully see you come august when my first year starts

I don't mind. I have turned out to be a head strong with my head squarely attached on my shoulders. I have found that I am much more mature than many of my same-aged counterparts, so I don't mind. Although it was a bit harsh at the time, I understand why my parents didn't want to hand me everything on a silver platter (and they don't have the $$ to anyhow) and I now appreciate the things I have much more.

Now, it just pisses me off when I here some 23 year old graduate student comes whining to me because their daddy decided to quit paying their credit card off every month--because they charged on two many $300 purses or crashed their brand new Mercedes one too many times. I just kinda laugh--welcome to the real world.

 

[CatsandCradles]

I can't complain cause (although I worked myself) my parents have already helped me get the best graduation gift: a debt free education

Amen. Same here and I am very thankful.

 

[Mom DO]

I can't believe no one mentioned travel! I WILL (if I don't sound so definitive, this dream may faulter) be travelling to Europe for 2 weeks (maybe a month 🙂, mom, sister and daughters. I will live off of the remainder of my student loans, I will walk the beaches of Italy with my toes in the sand and my daughters splashing in the water.... doesn't get any better than that! We'll see what really happens.

 

[strawberryfield]

I got a new car (Honda Civic) for graduation last year. No car payments for me, but I have to pay for insurance. I also got a free undergrad education (via scholarship and I worked) but I do have credit card debt! It sucks! 😱

 

[MossPoh]

I can't believe no one mentioned travel! I WILL (if I don't sound so definitive, this dream may faulter) be travelling to Europe for 2 weeks (maybe a month 🙂, mom, sister and daughters. I will live off of the remainder of my student loans, I will walk the beaches of Italy with my toes in the sand and my daughters splashing in the water.... doesn't get any better than that! We'll see what really happens.

Heh..I didn't mention travel because I'm in europe right now....and I am kind of spoiled in that area. 😛 (This is my fifth time in europe alone since 8th grade...gotta love visiting exchange students and two study abroads!)