Wash the graduate first (5)
I believe the answer is:
bathe
'wash' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'the graduate first' is the wordplay.
'graduate' becomes 'ba' (someone with a Bachelor of Arts degree).
'first' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'the' put after 'ba' is 'BATHE'.
(Other definitions for bathe that I've seen before include "Take a swim; envelop" , "Swim or dip" , "Swim or paddle" , "Wash, soak" , "Immerse in liquid for wash" .)