Seattle weather is unpredictable. Be sure to bring your sunglasses, some type of fan, along with rain boots, a poncho and an umbrella.

Save yourself the stress of bumper-to-bumper traffic and arrive early. This will allow you to reserve good seats for your group — good meaning sitting in the shade or closer to the stadium floor. Doors to Husky Stadium open at noon.

Parking will be chaotic, and parking permits will be required. The UW is offering free shuttle buses to transport guests to and from Husky Stadium between the hours of 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The two routes will be available from the West End Parking Garage (W26) and N parking lots. Routes are wheelchair accessible.

Avoid a grumbling tummy by getting a bite to eat before the ceremony at University Village or the Ave. Food stands serving limited refreshments will be open, but graduates will not be allowed into the stands during the ceremony, and passing items from the stands to the stadium floor is prohibited.

Most importantly, be sure you can actually attend commencement. To enter the lining up areas, graduates must have their student entrance ticket, UWID or other appropriate identification. Not doing so will leave you with angry friends and family. To find out where you will line up, visit uwgraduation.com.

Commencement should not be a large game of Where’s Waldo. Save the sanity of your friends and family by decorating your mortarboard. Tying a large balloon to your arm or decorating your cap with purple and gold flashing lights is sure to do the trick — until another graduate copies your idea.

The adults sitting on the stage dressed in colorful robes didn’t get lost on their way to a Harry Potter convention. Faculty members are dressed in gowns that correspond to their earned academic degree.

The commencement speaker is Robert M. Gates, the U.S. Secretary of Defense.

Every graduate will have the opportunity to walk across the stage, shake hands with either President Emmert, Provost Phyllis Wise, one of the deans or the chair of the Board of Regents, but only the names of doctoral and professional degree candidates will be announced.

Look presentable. When walking across the stage, you will be shown on the stadium’s Jumbotron. Every one in the stadium and those who purchase the commencement DVD will see you. This moment will be preserved in the university’s history.

Or, just skip the commencement, keep the relatives out of town and spend your Saturday a different way. Purchase the event DVD. It is an exact replication of the images broadcast at Husky Stadium.