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As graduation season in the US comes to an end for another year, it’s time to look back on the achievements and successes of the graduating class. And of course to look at the amazing graduation caps that students have designed to wear at their graduation ceremony. 

It has become a key tradition in many US universities for students to put their own personal touches to their graduation caps, the more elaborate the better. Some universities will even hold competitions to find the best ones so it’s always important to bring your A game. 

I’ve had a look through Instagram to find some of the best ones from this year’s graduation ceremonies. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but is certainly a good place to start if you’re graduating next year and need some inspiration to decorate your own mortar board. 

1. Yale 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ

 Yale 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4611ea0a-1db8-4f8a-8dc9-028153770b4b" src="https://student-cms.prd.timeshighereducation.com/sites/default/files/yale_university.png" />

One Yale student has made it very clear that university is over for them, by sticking a microwave on their head. Of course. 

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2. 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Kansas

51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Kansas data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d2dc9653-6ec5-488f-9644-b56b97fcb5a2" src="https://student-cms.prd.timeshighereducation.com/sites/default/files/university_of_kansas.png" />

Showing that you can also use your cap to shout about your achievements, this one celebrates its wearer being the first in his family to graduate from university. 

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3. Berry College

Berry College data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8b397f58-d0f9-45bd-afd3-0f6cbf498fb8" src="https://student-cms.prd.timeshighereducation.com/sites/default/files/berry_college_0.png" />

 A selection of hats to look at here, showing that you can really go in any direction with your design.

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4. Clark 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ

Clark 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ed091473-fec4-46bd-879b-8408b4e8e7d2" src="https://student-cms.prd.timeshighereducation.com/sites/default/files/clark_university.png" />

What kind of a graduation would it be without a technical joke to liven things up?

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5. Harvard 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ

Harvard 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d6f6c224-4ddc-45ed-aa53-5c541747295d" src="https://student-cms.prd.timeshighereducation.com/sites/default/files/harvard_university.png" />

Taking inspiration from one of the biggest musicians on the planet right now, the message on this hat was short and sweet. 

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6. Cornell 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ

Cornell 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9305d3f3-54c5-4c9e-8bae-6780ad7371c0" src="https://student-cms.prd.timeshighereducation.com/sites/default/files/cornell_university.png" />

 A lovely quote from astronomer Carl Sagan to help remind us that we are all part of something bigger. 

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7. Tufts 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ

Tufts 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="219f6b17-644b-4e03-9b4e-87285227f44e" src="https://student-cms.prd.timeshighereducation.com/sites/default/files/tufts_university.png" />

There’s not much to really say about this one, other than it really captures the mood of an entire generation. 

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8. Princeton 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ

Princeton 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="47733f03-6658-423c-a3ce-542654c3fed4" src="https://student-cms.prd.timeshighereducation.com/sites/default/files/princeton_university.png" />

A wonderfully inspirational quote from poet and author Maya Angelou, showing us that resilience and persistence are key to getting you through university (and life really). 

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9. San Diego State 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ

San Diego State 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0d788584-3875-4a33-8998-4e5027648ed4" src="https://student-cms.prd.timeshighereducation.com/sites/default/files/san_diego_state_university.png" />

Pop culture references are a great place to start when designing your hat, especially one as iconic as this. 

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10. 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Miami

51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Miami data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="de91369c-422c-4a1e-afe4-fdbdf2555894" src="https://student-cms.prd.timeshighereducation.com/sites/default/files/university_of_miami.png" />

Or show some pride in the school you are graduating from and give a nod to the mascot. Extra points definitely go to the excessive use of rhinestones. 

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11. Tulane 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ

Tulane 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="39f7f034-a7a4-46e6-ba61-96b072f50fd2" src="https://student-cms.prd.timeshighereducation.com/sites/default/files/tulane_university.png" />

 A hat that reminds us that university is just the first step to the rest of your life. 

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12. 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Delaware

51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Delaware data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fc0e96e8-d96c-43a2-879d-a89057ecc311" src="https://student-cms.prd.timeshighereducation.com/sites/default/files/university_of_delaware.png" />

And OK, this good boy probably didn’t graduate from the 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Delaware, but he did a great job of decorating his own hat.

Read more: The best celebrity graduation speeches 2019