High School Graduation Wishes: 55 Message Ideas
It’s that time of year again. The weather is warming up, sandals and bathing suits are filling the department stores, and the high-school graduation invitations are piling up on the kitchen counter. From now until the end of summer, you’ll spend many weekends jumping from grad party to grad party, eating pasta salad and baked chicken, and celebrating the graduates’ exciting futures that lie ahead.
Showing up and eating grad party food? That’s the easy part. The harder task: Choosing the right kind of graduation card and figuring out what to write in it. Whether you’re aiming for simple, humorous, inspiring, or something in the middle, the goal is to let the graduate know you’re thinking of them.
Below are some great ideas for high school graduation wishes to help you find the right words.
Tips for Deciding What to Write in a Graduation Card
The key to deciding what tone your high school graduation wishes should take really comes down to a few questions:
- How well do you know the graduate?
- What’s your relationship to the high school grad — family, friend, or acquaintance?
- Will you have a relationship with them post-graduation?
Your answers to these questions can help determine the length and tone of the message you write in the graduation card.
If you know the graduate well, a longer message with a few shared stories or an inside joke may feel more natural. Or if you’re a family member like a grandparent, aunt, or uncle, you may want to include some words of wisdom for the new grad.
If you don’t know the graduate very well, you may opt for a shorter message of congratulations and encouragement as they embark on their next chapter.
55 Message Ideas for Your High School Graduation Wishes
Need some ideas for your high school graduation wishes? We’ve got you covered. From humorous to sentimental, choose the one that feels right to you. Or mix and match for a message that’s both funny and heartfelt.
Humorous Messages
Design: taylorVdesign
When you know the graduate well, using humor can be a great way to connect. You could even begin with a joke and then follow it up with a shared memory, personal message, or story. Here are some humorous message ideas to get you started:
1. You did it? You actually did it? We can’t believe it! We’re so proud of you. Congratulations!
2. Remember us little people when you’re famous. Congratulations!
3. Here’s to ramen noodles, microwave popcorn, and cafeteria food!
4. That was the easy part. Welcome to adulthood — it all goes downhill from here.
5. THANK YOU, CHATGPT! — You (probably)
6. When in doubt: Fake it till you make it.
7. Don’t worry, you’ll never need to use y=mx+b again. Unless you’re a math major, I guess.
8. Don’t be like me — avoid the freshman 15! Or don’t. It’s a right of passage.
9. Congrats! Life is about to throw you its toughest punches yet — bills, bills and more bills!
Continue the humorous vibe with your graduation card design. With this photo card, you can add a funny image of the new grad or a silly snap of the two of you together. Plus, all the text is customizable, so you can add a one liner to the front and a longer message on the back.
Thoughtful Messages
If you’re looking to write a message with a little more thought and meaning, use one of these special messages for inspiration:
10. We knew you could do it. Congratulations on your graduation!
11. Your light shines so bright. Congratulations!
12. We know this wasn’t easy. Congrats on this amazing achievement and all of your hard work!
13. May the future be as bright as you are! Wishing you best wishes in your next adventure.
14. Adventure awaits! We hope all of your dreams come true.
15. Congrats! Wishing you health, happiness, and success in whatever comes next for you.
16. [Insert University/College Name] doesn’t know what’s coming for them! We know you’ll do great!
17. Make sure you take time to reflect on the moments that got you here. As your life grows and fills with new experiences, carry the memories and lessons you’ve learned with you. Endless possibilities await!
18. Wishing you positive graduation wishes as you take on this next chapter of your life!
19. Welcome to the real world — you’re going to do such great things. Sending you good luck and well wishes as you take on this new chapter of your life.
20. Congrats on your big day! We are so excited to see the incredible things you’ll do and where your next adventure takes you.
Sentimental Messages
Design: Signature Greenvelope | Round of Applause Card
If you’re especially close to the grad, you might opt for a sentimental note showing how much you care and how proud you are of their achievement. Don’t be afraid to get emotional — your heartfelt and kind words could be something they remember long after their grad party:
21. Congratulations, grad! We are so proud of you and all of the hard work that went into getting to this special day. You’re going to do amazing things in life.
22. This is a tremendous milestone in your life. Soak up every moment, and enjoy your well-deserved success.
23. You already have so much to be proud of. Continue doing your thing and climbing to new heights! I can’t wait to see what you do next.
24. We could not be prouder of you! You are truly one of a kind, and we know you’re going to make this world a better place.
25. I know you may be uncertain about what your future holds. Just know that we believe in you and are here for you every step of the way. Congrats!
26. No matter where life takes you, never stop being you. There’s a reason you’re loved and adored by so many.
27. Proud doesn’t even begin to cover it. I am so inspired by your ability to rise above and achieve greatness.
Inspirational Messages
Looking to inspire the grad with some words of wisdom? Motivate and encourage them with some of the messages below:
28. The world is yours for the taking! We know you’re bound to do great things. Congratulations!
29. In a world full of ordinary — BE EXTRAORDINARY!
30. Dream big. And don’t be afraid to fail. Sometimes it’s the beautiful pathway down a new road.
31. You are an inspiration to those around you. We are so proud of the person you are and who you will become. We wish you nothing but happiness in this next phase of life.
32. Congratulations on your graduation! As you continue on life’s journey, choose kindness, be a light to others, and stand up for what’s right.
33. Carve your own path. Do great, be great! Congratulations, grad!
Simple Messages for Those You Don’t Know Well
Design: Signature Greenvelope | You Did It! Card
These graduation wishes are perfect for when you don’t know the grad all that well. Whether you’re a friend of the family, a distant relative, or an acquaintance, you can’t go wrong with any of the suggestions below:
34. Congratulations! Best of luck in your future endeavors!
35. Congratulations on your graduation! We are so excited to see what this next chapter brings you.
36. You did it! Happy Graduation Day!
37. Your hard work paid off — congratulations!
38. The future is yours — go grab it!
39. Caps off to you, grad!
40. High fives to you! You did it!
41. The best is yet to come. Congratulations on your graduation!
42. Congratulations! This is only the beginning.
43. Here’s to a bright future and new beginnings! Congrats!
44. Best wishes at [insert University/College name]!
45. The tassel was worth the hassle! Happy graduation!
Famous and Inspirational Graduation Quotes
If you’re really stuck, include an inspirational quote or a line from a celebrity graduation speech. Here are some you could use in a high school graduation wish:
46. “Life’s a climb, but the view is great.” — Hannah Montana
47. “Have the wisdom to recognize the best in others while always demanding the best from yourself.” — Madeleine Albright
48. “Life has no remote. Get up and change it yourself.” — Mark A. Cooper
49. “This is the time for bold measures, and this is the country, and you are the generation … That degree of yours is a blunt instrument. Go forth and build something with it.” — Bono
50. “I’ve seen a generation eager, impatient even, to step into the rushing waters of history and change its course.” — President Barack Obama
51. “Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
52. “Fight for what makes you optimistic about the world. Find it, insist on it, dig into it, go after it.” — Jennifer Garner
53. “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
54. “Be the hardest-working person you know. Because if you’re not, someone else will be.” — Ian Brennan
55. “I am here to tell you that whatever you think your dream is now, it will probably change. And that’s OK.” — Conan O’Brien
Let Them Know You Care with a Graduation Card
Whether it’s short or long, heartfelt or funny, or just a simple “congrats,” take the time to acknowledge the new grads in your life with a special graduation wish and card. If you have trouble coming up with what to write in the card, use our suggestions above for inspiration.
Once you pick the message that works best for you, pair it with one of our congratulations cards. Our online cards are completely customizable, making it easy and convenient to choose the perfect one. Plus, you can send a gift card alongside your graduation message in just a few simple steps.
