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
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