According to Cap and Gown Direct, it depends on what type of school you are graduating from. If you're a high school student, the tassel goes on the right before your graduation ceremony.

50 Best Graduation Cap Ideas That Will Turn Heads Christopher Evans - Getty Images ...

Spritzing your hair with a texturizer -- hairspray, sea salt spray, whatever you have -- will help keep the cap in place. As for the pins, it's pretty obvious: use them to attach your hair to the cap.