High school graduation is an important event in any teenager’s life. For most teenagers, your first priority is how you will style your hair. Hairstyles are a way to express your individuality. But graduation is one situation where you may need to keep your individuality in check. Many high schools have dress codes and students should not be surprised if the dress code is enforced at graduation.

An article recently appeared in the St. Petersburg Times (Tampa Bay) regarding hairstyles for graduation at Seminole High. The class valedictorian, a National Merit Scholarship finalist, with a 4.8 average decided to change his haircut for a Mohawk-style cut. Though the principal did not say he couldn’t give the speech with the fauxhawk, he (the valedictorian) was informed that he couldn’t give the speech unless he was wearing his graduation cap. If you’re familiar with the Mohawk style and the shape of a graduation cap, you know this is a physical impossibility.

So, if you are considering making a statement for graduation with your hairstyle, think carefully. The principal at Seminole High said “If a student’s hair proved distracting, he would keep the graduate from walking.”

Now, let’s talk about graduation hairstyles. First thing to consider is whether your graduation will be located inside or outside. The majority of graduations occur in the summer, so let’s assume the weather will be warm.

For guys, if your graduation is outside and your hair is long, you might want to consider pulling it back in a ponytail so your hair is off your neck and you can stay cool. If your hair is short and you usually gel it to get it stand up higher, consider that the graduation cap may flatten your spikes. You may want to try out your hairstyle before graduation and see what effect the graduation cap will have on it.

Now girl grads first piece of advice – don’t try anything radically new right before graduation. If you hate the hairstyle you will be stuck looking at your awful hairstyle in your graduation picture for the rest of your life.

If your high school graduation is outside you have to consider what your hair does on a hot day. If your hair is short and tends to frizz you may want to go for you a sleek close to the head style. Apply gel, mousse or spray to hold your hair in place. In general ladies are not required to remove their cap during the pledge of allegiance or singing of the national anthem, so if you need to secure your cap with pins, do so. If your hair is short and straight, don’t attempt any complicated wavy or curly styles. The heat may cause your curls to uncurl and your hair will just look messy. If your graduation is inside you may attempt some simple waves or curls but consider pictures may be taken outside.

Girl grads with shoulder length or long hair, you have a few options. The first option is the pony tail, the most common and popular graduation hairstyle. It is easy to do, looks neat and helps you stay cool. You can use a hair clip or hair band to dress up your ponytail but nothing so big that it distracts. You can also pin your ponytail into a low bun to give you an even neater look. The low bun is a good choice for those with wavy or unruly hair.

If you have very thick or very long hair or both, a simple braid is your best choice and will keep you cool and neat. Congratulations graduates!