100 Best Graduation Wishes: What to Write in a Graduation Card

There are so many circumstances that call for well-wishes and cards, including moving-up ceremonies that occur in preschool or junior high. But of course, most people think of the full pomp and circumstance that is associated with the commencement from high school or college. No matter what stage or grade, the act of graduation is an accomplishment that deserves recognition and encouragement.

100+ Inspiring Messages for a Graduation Card — Here’s What to Write

Get ready to throw your grad cap in the air and toss your tassel to the side — graduation season is right around the corner, marking one of the most monumental milestones in a person’s life. Spread some love to the graduate in your life or your fellow classmates with the perfect graduation wishes that’ll make them feel extra special.

There are so many circumstances that call for well-wishes and cards, including moving-up ceremonies that occur in preschool or junior high. But of course, most people think of the full pomp and circumstance that is associated with the commencement from high school or college. No matter what stage or grade, the act of graduation is an accomplishment that deserves recognition and encouragement.

To get to this point, the recipient of the diploma/degree had to go through challenges harder than attempting to find a white dress for the ceremony or picking the perfect hairstyle for their mortarboard-adorned head. You should be proud of the hours they put in studying and taking tests. And whether those feelings are shared through a great graduation gift, finding the right caption to add to a grad pic, or putting on a graduation bash, it’s important to keep in mind the goal of making the honoree of the day feel special.

It can be hard to put into words *just* how proud you are of a friend or relative who has achieved such a high honor — but we’ve curated a list of graduation wishes that are so good, that you’ll think about heading back to school just so you can receive these kind words in a card. Here are our best wishes, phrases, and graduation card messages:

🎓 Short Graduation Messages

• Be proud of this moment, and know you deserve all the successes you work toward.
• There is nothing more beautiful than finding your course in life.
• You did the damn thing, grad! So proud.
• You’re going to be a star! Congratulations.
• I’m proud of your achievements, but even more proud of the person you’ve become.
• I just know life has even more wonderful things in store for you.
• Congratulations on your graduation and best wishes for your next adventure!
• Sending warm congratulations today and wishing you all the best at [insert school name in the fall.
• With love and pride today and always.
• Congratulations today and best wishes for all your tomorrows.
• You deserve to see your dreams come true. Congrats!
• Congratulations on your well-deserved success.
• Congratulations!
• ConGRADulations!
• You did it — congrats!
• Caps off to you, graduate!
• What a proud day! We just couldn’t be happier for you.
• Happy Graduation Day!
• Prayers and blessings on your graduation and for your future.
• Warmest congratulations on your graduation.
• Best wishes for your next adventure!
• Great results come from hard work — well done!
• Be glad you’re a grad!
• The tassel was worth the hassle!
• Keep reaching for the stars!
• Best of luck with your new beginnings.
• This calls for a celebration!
• Many dream, some try, but only a few achieve. You have achieved!
• Best of luck!
• This is only the beginning.
• Take pictures. Take your time celebrating. Take it easy for a while. Then get ready to take on the world!
• May you always dare to do great things with your life.
• I’m so proud of you!
• May all your dreams come true, graduate.
• You’re a star, graduate — keep shining!

🎓 Funny Graduation Messages

• Did you pay your teachers for your diploma? C’mon, you can tell me!
• Now that you’ve graduated, what are you going to do with all those sticky notes now?
• You may have brains, but don’t trip on your way onto the stage!
• Congrats! You’re like a fresh batch of cookies just out of the oven: hot, fresh, and ready to take on the world!
• I guess barely getting by pays off. Cheers to you!
• My hope for you is that your awesome memories of college last longer than your student loans.
• As you graduate don’t forget to thank those who helped you get here: Google, Command F, and copy and paste.
• Congrats on filling a minimum job requirement
• Hard work: check! Diploma: check! Make some money: more checks!
• Did you ever think this day would come? Neither did we!
• Congratulations on your graduation. Education is the key to unlocking your potential. The diploma helps a wee bit also.
• I lost a bet. You graduated
• What a fancy piece of paper you’ve got there.
• I hate to break it to you, but that was the easiest part of your adult life.
• This definitely won’t be the last time I get to brag about you.
• First I get to see you walk across the stage. Then there’s a party? Awesome!
• Good looks, brains, heart, and now a diploma too? You’ve really got it all!
• My deepest condolences on the end of your college life.
• Did you ever think this day would come? Neither did we!
• All that hard work for a piece of paper? Congratulations on getting your piece of paper.
• Happy graduation. Now welcome to the real world!
• Here’s to the end of eating Top Ramen for the last four years. Kudos!
• Isn’t it amazing how far people can go now that Google and Wikipedia are around to help?
• How does it feel to be only one degree wiser?
• Now that you’ve graduated, maybe you’re smart enough to figure out how to pay back your student loans.
• Why did the graduate cross the stage? To move back in with their parents.

🎓 Heartfelt Graduation Wishes

• Take the time to relax. Celebrate your accomplishments. Stressing about your future can wait.
• Go into the world and do well, but more importantly, go into the world and do good.
• Can you believe it? You’ve made it to the end of this chapter and the beginning of something new. Congratulations and best wishes for all the exciting things yet to come.
• It’s my great privilege to know you, to think about all you’ve achieved, and to be with you on your graduation day.
• It seems like just yesterday you were just a kid starting high school. Now, you’re a confident young man/woman about to receive your diploma. It’s been my joy to watch you grow and achieve so much these past four years.
• Now that you’ve graduated follow your heart and embrace what dreams are important to you. Cherish them. Own them. And pursue them with all of your might.
• Be proud of this moment — you deserve it for all the effort and dedication you invested. Congratulations.
• May you always find yourself as happy and full of dreams as you are today! Congratulations.
• The future holds no promises, but rather mysteries and surprises. What you’ve learned will prepare you for both. Congratulations and all the best for the future.
• Keep on growing. Keep adding to the goodness and beauty in the world. Keep developing those unique dreams and talents that make you who you are!
• Always remember: There’s no limit to what you can do if you keep believing in yourself.
• So happy we could be here to watch you graduate with honors. It’s an honor to share in such an important day.
• If you’re wondering how the last four years went so fast, you should see how quickly the rest of life flies by. Enjoy this moment because you won’t get it back. Congratulations.
• It took a lot of hard work to reach this goal. You had to show up every day, whether you felt like it or not. I hope you feel great about what you’ve accomplished, and I hope you’ll continue to be a person who shows up day in and day out for those things that are worthwhile and important in life.
• Sending warm thoughts and big congratulations to a graduate we’re so very proud of.
• I’m sure today will be only the first of many proud, successful moments for you.
• Today is just the start of all the wonderful things that life has in store for you.
• Graduation isn’t the end of a tough journey. It is the beginning of a beautiful one. Start each day believing in yourself and watch the magic happen.
• School may be over, but life’s lessons are still to be learned. Keep an open heart and mind.
• Keep on growing. Keep adding to the goodness and beauty in the world. Keep developing those unique dreams and talents that make you who you are!
• Always allow your challenges to build your character, and your accomplishments to make you proud. This is such an important moment!
• You did it! Your journey is only just beginning. It’s time to use your brilliant mind to pave your path to success.
• You have always been the captain of your own ship. On this exciting day, feel proud that you’ve steered it toward victory.
• May you take every chance that comes your way with boldness and excitement! Enjoy what the future has to offer; you’ve earned it.
• There is no such thing as an easy path. Every path presents challenges; what matters is how you deal with them. You have proven that your strength and character are built for success.
• On this day, you have made everyone in your life proud of your achievement and all the effort it took to get here. It’s time to celebrate your success!
• May all the warm memories of your school years accompany you on your journey to success; there are many more to come!
• Now that you’re a graduate, it’s time to be courageous. Life is full of lessons that will challenge you all along the way.

🎓 Graduation Messages for Friends

• Congrats on graduating! I’m beyond proud to be friends with someone so smart.
• Know what makes your graduation extra special? It’s having grown up together, having so many good memories, and knowing all the challenges you’ve worked through to get to this day. I’m so proud of you.
• It’s a beautiful thing, watching the friend I’ve always loved grow up and get one step closer to her dreams. Congrats, with all my love.
• You’ve come a long way since you were that frightened little [boy /girl] on our first day of kindergarten. I’m so proud of you.
• Your brilliance has been made unmistakably clear through your many achievements. I am so proud to call you my friend.
• You are strong, intelligent, bold, and kind. Your rock-solid character will carry you to new heights in the future, and I’ll always be there by your side on the journey!
• Your perseverance never went unnoticed. You are an inspiration and example to me and everyone else alike.
• Every giggle, every tear, every joke, and every secret we’ve shared has warmed my heart and lifted my spirit. What a journey!
• I am so proud of your journey so far, and so excited for your future! May we face it together with laughter and joy.
• My dear friend, you can achieve anything you want in life. Believe in yourself the same way we believe in you.

🎓Graduation Messages for When You Can’t Be There

• The only thing that would have made this day more perfect is if we could have celebrated it together. (But in my heart, I’m by your side)
• It would have meant the world to me to share this day with you. But just know I am celebrating your huge success across the miles. Congratulations!
• You are still celebrated for this amazing accomplishment, even if it’s from home.
• I wish I could be at your graduation to hug you and tell you in person how proud I am of you.
• I feel a shout coming on! You can probably hear me from all the way over here. Congrats, Grad!
• I’m disappointed that I won’t be there to watch you walk across the stage and get your diploma, but we will celebrate your success as soon as we can!
• Looking forward to getting together soon to celebrate your achievement!
• I wish I could see you in your cap and gown but know that I am so very proud of you.
• Sharing our pride and love from afar.
• Sending our joy and happiness through the mail. Congrats graduate!
• I would have popped confetti in person, but this will have to do!
• Save a slice of the celebratory cake for me! So proud of you.
• There beside you emotionally, but not physically. Congratulations on graduating!
• *Redeem this card for a free celebratory dinner when we see each other again*
• Broke out the stamps for you — this achievement just couldn’t go unnoticed!

🎓 Inspirational Graduation Quotes

• “Whatever you choose for a career path, remember the struggles along the way are only meant to shape you for your purpose.” — Chadwick Boseman
• “My dear terrified graduates, you are about to enter the most uncertain and thrilling period of your lives.” — Lin-Manuel Miranda
• “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” —Mark Twain
• “Your inexperience is an asset in that it will make you think in original, unconventional ways. Accept your lack of knowledge and use it as your asset.” —Natalie Portman
• “Hard things will happen to us. We will recover, we will learn from it, we will grow more resilient because of it. And as long as we are fortunate enough to be breathing, we will breathe in, breathe through, breathe deep, and breathe out. And I am a doctor now, so I know how breathing works.” — Taylor Swift
• “It is absolutely still possible to make a difference.” — Michelle Obama
• “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” — C.S. Lewis
• “Learning is the only thing the mind never exhausts, never years, and never regrets.” — Leonardo da Vinci
• “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.” — Malcolm X
• “All of our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” — Walt Disney
• “Wherever you go, go with all your heart.” — Confucius
• “Go forth and set the world on fire.” — St. Ignatius Loyola

Abby is an editorial assistant at Seventeen, covering pop culture, beauty, life, and health. When she’s not busy watching the latest true crime docuseries, you can find her strolling through Sephora, thrifting the perfect dress, or jogging with her pup.

Bri is the editorial assistant at Seventeen covering pop culture, celebrity news, fashion, and beauty. You can probably find her sipping an oatmilk iced chai while searching for the best new makeup products or thrifting her entire wardrobe.

100 Best Graduation Wishes: What to Write in a Graduation Card

Sleepless nights, group projects, presentations, midnight gas station burritos. Ah. School! These years of hard work and dedication culminate in the sending off of our graduates to contribute their fresh, innovative, and wonderful ideas to the world. This milestone is always cause for a big celebration! Let’s talk about what to write in a graduation card.

Whether celebrating your son, daughter, other family member, or friend graduating from high school, college, or another institution, send them your very best wishes for the future. Now is the time to be optimistic, inspiring, and excited about what the future holds for them in their career endeavors. In this list you will find everything you need to write the perfect graduation card! From casual wishes to formal wishes, to funny wishes, graduation quotes, and more, use these messages to get started writing that graduation card!

Casual Graduation Wishes

If the occasion is less formal, feel free to keep it simple with a short and sweet graduation message. Some of these casual graduation wishes are also perfect to send when you don’t know the graduate too well! When in doubt, keep it short!

• You did it! Congrats!
• The sky’s the limit!
• The world is yours!
• Happy Graduation Day!
• You did it! Congratulations.
• What an impressive achievement!
• Caps off to you, Graduate! Well done!
• You did the damn thing, Grad! SO proud.
• This is only the beginning. Congratulations!
• May your degree unlock many doors for you!
• What a fancy diploma you’ve got there! Congrats!
• Best wishes for your future. Congratulations.
• Just the beginning of success for you. Congrats!
• May your cap fly as high as your dreams. Congratulations!
• One degree = two happy parents! Congrats!
• Good looks, brains, heart and now a diploma too? You’ve really got it all! Congrats!
• What a ride it has been! You should be very proud of yourself. Hats off to you!
• “Congratulations on your graduation and best wishes for your next adventure!”

‍Formal Graduation Wishes

These more formal graduation wishes are perfect when attending a graduation party or dinner, or when the graduate is a close friend or family member. Be sure to include something a little personal, like a fond memory or note, to make their achievement that much more special!

• To your well-deserved success!
• Warmest congratulations on your graduation.
• Congratulations on your well-deserved success!
• Blessing and prayers on your graduation and for your future.
• We are so proud that you are a graduate now. Congratulations dear.
• Sending you our prayers and well-wishes on your graduation day.
• Congratulations on your graduation and best wishes for your next adventure!
• Congrats on your outstanding achievement. Wishing you all the best for the future and all its challenges and opportunities.
• Many dream, some try, but only a few achieve. You have achieved! Good luck and happy graduation!
• Be proud of this moment – you deserve it for all the effort and dedication you invested. Congratulations.
• Congrats, graduate, you have really outdone yourself! Your family and friends wish you nothing but the very best.
• We praise you for your efforts, and send good wishes too, for a future filled with happiness and your fondest dreams come true.
• Congratulations on your outstanding achievement! Looking back, it was all worth it. Wishing you the best in the wonderful career you have chosen.
• Graduation is an exciting time. It marks both an ending and a beginning; it’s warm memories of the past and big dreams for the future.
• Your future is bright. For all the times of late-night studies, lack of sleep and sacrifice of enjoyment your reward is here. Congratulations to you.

Funny Graduation Wishes

Sometime the perfect graduation message is a funny one! Upon graduating we look back at the craziness of the previous years and can’t help but laugh at the ridiculousness of it all. Now that it’s all over and bigger things are on the horizon, send a hilarious message to your recent grad!

• Congratulations! It only took 5 years.
• We believed. You achieved. Way to go!
• Happy graduation and welcome to the real world!
• Despite losing my bet, congrats on your graduation.
• What a fancy diploma you’ve got there! Congrats!
• Did you ever think this day would come? Neither did we!
• My deepest condolences on the end of your college life.
• The tassel was worth the hassle! Congratulations!
• Call it graduation, a new beginning, or in your case, a miracle – congratulations!
• First, I get to see you walk across the stage, then we get to eat cake? WOOHOO!
• Congratulations to me for sitting through this long graduation ceremony. Just kidding, so proud of you!
• Lovely friend, hearty congratulations for your graduation. I wish you will find a god job now and will clear the path for me by searching for me too alongside.
• Now that you’ve graduated, you may be smart enough to figure out how to pay your student loans. Congrats!
• Now it’s time to enter the real world. Don’t worry, none of us know what we’re doing here either!
• It came as a shock to me to see you graduate because I know your levels of intelligence…. Happy Graduation to you.
• Don’t forget to thank those who were always there for you… Starbucks, Google, and Uber Eats.
• You did it. Happy graduation. Celebrate. Exhale. I’m so happy for you! Talk to you soon!
• Your graduation is truly a moment of joy for you and your family, but it is certainly a moment of shock for me…. Wishing you Happy Graduation.
• I can’t wait to hear your name horribly mispronounced at the graduation ceremony. Congratulations!
• Congratulations! Now you can finally start getting paid to work, rather than having to pay to do it!

Inspiring Graduation Wishes

Time to carry this positive momentum forward and inspire your graduate to go out and do some good in the world! The world is theirs with opportunities across the horizon, so use one of these inspiring graduation messages to encourage your graduate to go give it their very best!

• Go into the world and do well, but more important, go into the world and do good.
• Congrats on graduating! I wish you the very best in all your future endeavors. May success always find you. You worked so hard for this, but it is everything you learned that will propel you to success.
• Going forward, understand that all paths are different. Always remember that you are exactly where you are supposed to be.
• Find comfort in being uncomfortable. Take the opportunities presented to you even if they’re scary; you have to leave your comfort zone to grow as an individual.
• Do all the ambitious and important things in life, but as you do, err in the direction of kindness.
• Always maintain a positive attitude and never stop believing in yourself.
• The journey of life brings both challenges and chances – may you snatch the chances and beat the challenges.
• School may be over, but never stop asking questions. Questions are the keys to unlocking endless opportunities.
• For all the lack of sleep, late-night studies, and hard work, your reward is here. Well-deserved congratulations!
• Wishing that even brighter opportunities will come your way and you achieve success in all of them!
• Always remember: There’s no limit to what you can do if you believe in yourself.
• Today is just one of life’s many sweet victories, be sure to stop and savor this incredible moment!
• Keep going no matter what obstacles may try to get in your way. We know that you’re fearless and can overcome any challenges.
• The greatest gift you can give someone is believing in them. And you have a whole team of people who believe in you.
• Now is your time! You’re unstoppable and I want you to enjoy and celebrate this outstanding accomplishment.

Graduation Quotes

There’s nothing like an inspiring quote from one of the world’s most successful people, and there’s certainly no shortage of them! Write an encouraging quote in your graduation greeting card to inspire the graduate to go take on the world.

• You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” – Wayne Gretzky
• “The road to success is always under construction.” – Lily Tomlin
• “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” – C.S. Lewis
• “You get in life what you have the courage to ask for.” – Oprah Winfrey
• “Don’t allow people to dim your shine because they are blinded. Tell them to put on sunglasses.” – Lady Gaga
• “Don’t be afraid. Be focused. Be determined. Be hopeful. Be empowered.” – Michelle Obama
• “There is no passion to be found in playing small, in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” – Nelson Mandela
• “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” – Thomas Edison
• “Be the hardest working person you know. Because if you’re not, someone else will be.” ˆ– Ian Brennan
• “Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela
• “Opportunity dances with those who are already on the dance floor.” – Jackson Browne
• “I celebrate you as you remember the power of grace and pride, and I challenge you to choose freedom over fear.” – Janelle Monáe
• “It is better to be a failure at something you love than to be a success at something you hate.” – George Burns
• “If I must give any of you advice it would be say yes. Say yes, and create your own destiny.” – Maya Rudolph
• “Fight for what makes you optimistic about the world. Find it, insist on it, dig into it, go after it.” – Jennifer Garner
• “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” – Mark Twain
• “Life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you only spend it once.” – Lillian Dickson
• “You must have some vision for your life. Even if you don’t know the plan, you have to have a direction in which you choose to go.” – Oprah
• “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” – Robert Louis Stevenson
• “I’ve learned it’s important not to limit yourself. You can do whatever you really love to do, no matter what it is.” – Ryan Gosling

Graduation Wishes During a Difficult Time

Difficult times don’t wait for us, unfortunately. If you know someone who’s graduating during a difficult circumstance, be sure to be there for them as much as possible. Start with sending them some kind words of support and let them know that you how proud you are of them for this achievement.

• You are still celebrated for this amazing accomplishment.
• You might not feel up to celebrating as you graduate, but we hope you do feel the pride, caring and good wishes surrounding you right now.
• It’s going to take more than a canceled graduation ceremony to stop me from blowing an air horn in your honor. Way to go, Grad.
• I wish I could see you in your cap and gown but know that I am so very proud of you. Today and always.
• Praying for you as you graduate – for pride today, hope for tomorrow, and for love and support to go with you always.
• Congratulations on your graduation. I wish it could have happened at a happier time for you, but I hope it helps to know how loved you are and how proud you’ve made all of us who care about you.
• Just because your graduation ceremony has been canceled, doesn’t mean that we can’t celebrate your amazing success. We are so proud of you.
• Hard work, talent, drive and vision will always outlast tough times. That’s how I know you’re going to make the world what you want it to be.
• We are disappointed that we won’t be there to watch you walk across the stage and get your diploma, but we will celebrate your success as soon as you can!
• Missing your face so far away. Someday we will be able to celebrate our accomplishment – graduating law school! – together!
• I know that things are difficult right now, but I hope that you can take a moment today to savor all of your hard work and this fantastic accomplishment.
• As you graduate, you’re in all my proudest and happiest thoughts… and in my most caring, heartfelt prayers, too.