• 卒業そつぎょう — graduation
• 新卒しんそつ — new graduate
• 兵卒へいそつ — foot soldier
• 卒倒そっとう — fainting; collapse
• 卒年そつねん — graduation year

卒 originally depicted ceremonial attire and order, pointing to completion. The meaning broadened to include “soldier,” and by extension “to finish” a stage such as schooling or service.

彼かれは 大学だいがくを卒業そつぎょうしたばかりです。
He just graduated from college.

新卒しんそつの学生がくせいが 会社かいしゃに入はいってきた。
A newly graduated student joined the company.