There was no obligatory throwing of the mortarboard for mid-year graduates on the Border this month.
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Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic Charles Sturt University had to cancel August graduation ceremonies and instead of the traditional formal affair, graduates such as Albury's Kate McKee received their certificates in the mail.
Ms McKee finished with a Bachelor of Accounting after five years of study in a year that forced many final exams to be sat at home.
"It was definitely a different year, and was a bit weird not getting that traditional graduation ceremony," she said.
"But I am just excited to be finally finished my degree.
"I think families will really miss going to the ceremony and seeing you up there getting your certificate.
"So it would have been more for them than me but it would have been nice to get that recognition for all the work.
"I did most of my degree by distance so when the uni' closed during lockdown and classes and exams went online it was all right as I was fairly used to it.
"But getting that document in the mail was a strange thing.
"My work has been really supportive through it all so it was a real comfort knowing I had a job to continue when I did eventually graduate."
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Jenny Roberts said graduation ceremonies were one of the key milestones for students.
"And we're planning to give graduates the opportunity to celebrate at a ceremony in the future," she said.
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"There have been some changes to how we celebrate graduations due to COVID-19, but we are working hard to ensure the impact of COVID-19 does not impact their ability to graduate."
Ms Roberts said students who had completed their course were being conferred, with their official documents sent to them through the mail.
"Unfortunately some of our students may have their completion dates postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. But this is just a delay," she said.
"We are submitting more regular conferrals to ensure they graduate with their award as soon as possible."
Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor John Germov congratulated students who were eligible to graduate in "this most challenging of years".
"This August we celebrate some 5000 students who have graduated with their award so far this year," he said.
"As uncertain as these times may be, these students have demonstrated that they are tenacious, resilient and very capable of achieving anything they set their minds to."
