Graduation is fast approaching, and itâs time to celebrate someone specialâs big moment. Whether theyâre graduating primary school or leaving the world of grades and classes for good, the best way to share the joy is with your heartfelt graduation wishes.
If youâre looking for inspiration, weâre here to help. Discover our favorite graduation wishes and messages for grads of any age, personality, and style.
The Best Graduation Wishes to Celebrate the Big Moment
Design: Signature Greenvelope
Ready to write an amazing graduation card or send your well wishes ahead of a graduation party? We love combining these graduation messages with a thoughtful congratulations card (like this paint-speckled congrats card) to wish the new grad well on their new journey.
Here are some of our go-to messages to celebrate the end of high school or college days and embrace the big adventure thatâs still to come.
Short and Sweet Graduation Wishes
You donât have to write a long message to tell them how proud you are. Use these short and sweet graduation message ideas to help you craft a text or card message that feels personal yet succinct.
1. You did it! Congratulations on graduating, [Name]!
2. Congrats, new grad!
3. Youâve got a bright future ahead.
4. Congratulations, graduate!
5. Congrats on all your well-deserved success, [Name]!
6. All your hard work paid off. Itâs time to celebrate!
7. Yay, you made it! Congrats on everything youâve achieved.
8. Wishing you a very happy graduation day.
9. Time to move on to the next chapter!
10. Best of luck for whatever you do next, [Name]!
11. Congratulations on your outstanding achievement.
12. Caps off to you!
13. Todayâs the first day of forever.
14. Time to wave goodbye to college life, [Name]. You did it!
15. Con-grad-ulations!
16. Good luck in the future, [Name]!
17. The world doesnât know whatâs coming. Congrats on becoming a grad!
Funny Graduation Messages
If you know the new graduate well, youâll know whether they want a thoughtful message or a joke to keep the feelings light. Make the new grad smile as they open up your card with one of these funny graduation wishes.
18. Congrats on collecting the fanciest piece of paper youâll ever own.
19. Youâve got to admit, neither of us thought weâd see the day. Congrats!
20. You might have passed the tests, but that doesnât mean youâre smart. But don’t worry: Your secret’s safe with me!
21. Kudos to you for FINALLY graduating!
22. No more late-night study sessions and lack of sleep! Yay!
23. Now the real work starts. Welcome to the real world, [Name]!
24. Think you can swap your baseball cap for a grad cap long enough for the ceremony?
25. Now youâre just like the rest of us, [Name].
26. Forget all the hassle; itâs time to wear the tassel!
27. Congrats on learning all the best ways to pass your classes.
28. Ready to swap ramen for learning how to cook?
29. Congrats on graduating! Enjoy the party â it’s the last fun time you’ll have. Welcome to the working world!Â
Heartfelt and Inspiring Graduation Wishes
A college or high school graduation is a big moment, and itâs the perfect time to highlight all thatâs amazing about the new grad. We love these thoughtful message ideas for a close friend or family member â especially when paired with this golden congratulations card.
30. Congratulations on graduating from [College]! This is such a prestigious achievement, and Iâm incredibly proud to watch it happen.
31. Reach for the sky, [Name]. You know youâll make it. No matter what, youâve always got us cheering you on.
32. Iâm SO proud of you, [Name]. I knew you could do it.
33. Thereâs so much still to come. Go out there and enjoy life, make a difference, and be who you truly are.
34. Best wishes to the most talented new graduate out there. Whoever you end up working for will be the luckiest boss in the world.
35. [Name], youâve always been a star. Now everyone here can appreciate it too.
36. I canât believe the big day is finally here! Congratulations on becoming a graduate. Iâm so excited to watch you take the next steps into the rest of your life.
37. Wishing you all the best with your future endeavors, [Name]. Itâs been a joy to watch you blossom and grow.
38. Iâm so excited to stand here and watch you graduate from [College]. I know itâs always been your dream.
Words of Wisdom for Your New Graduate
Design: Signature Greenvelope
Whether your grad is going to continue their education or make their way into the world of work, itâs a great moment to share your wisdom and life lessons. Use one of these graduation wishes alongside this fun congrats card to help you put your thoughts into the right words.
39. Life is a journey. Where you end up doesnât matter â enjoy the path that takes you there.
40. Your college graduation is a big moment. Live it, cherish it, and let those feelings of pride carry you through any challenges ahead.
41. Being an adult in the big wide world might sound scary, but itâs incredibly exciting. Time to learn who you are and discover your true talents and passions in life.
42. Leaving [school/college] can feel tough. Youâve made lots of memories, but there are many more enjoyable moments still to come.
43. Whether you loved your college days or hated them, youâre now free to take on the world. Know that youâre always growing, changing, and learning to be the best version of yourself.Â
Graduation Messages if Youâre Attending the Graduation Party
Design: Laura Bolter Design
If youâve received an invitation to the gradâs party (like this class year invite), you donât need to put all your thoughts into words now â you can toast them at the graduation party instead. Here are some fun ways to congratulate them now and let them know youâll be there.
44. Congrats on graduating, [Name]! I canât wait to dance the night away with you.
45. Time to toast [City]âs most amazing grad! Iâll see you at the party on [date].
46. Tell your parents to expect plenty of noise. Weâre here to whoop and shout and celebrate your college graduation!
47. Big things are ahead! Letâs talk about life and reminisce about those college days together before we head out on our summer travels.
48. Itâs an honor to be invited to your graduation celebration, [Name]. I canât wait to raise a glass to your achievements and your future.
49. Itâs time to partaaayy! Congrats on graduating from [College] â so excited to sing karaoke and make big life plans together.
Graduation Messages From a Distance
Sometimes we canât always make it to the party or watch the graduation happen. If youâre sending your wishes from afar, here are some messages to share just how proud you are â no matter the distance. Pair one of these with one of our online cards and schedule so your card arrives at the perfect moment for the grad-to-be.
50. What an incredible journey youâve been on, [Name]. Iâm so proud of you. Iâm sorry I canât make your graduation day but know that Iâll be raising a glass to you from here.
51. Your joy and love for life are felt all the way over here on the other side of the world. Iâm so excited to see all the amazing things youâll achieve from here on, [Name].
52. Happy graduation day from your favorite [relation] in [Location]!
53. We canât be at your graduation ceremony in person, but weâll tune into the livestream. Canât wait to see you walk on stage in your cap and gown!
54. There may be distance between us, but know that Iâd give you the biggest hug if I could. Youâre a shining star, [Name].
55. Congratulations on becoming the [Surname] familyâs newest grad! Sending you all our love and best wishes from [Location].
Share Your Excitement With These Thoughtful Graduation Wishes
Let someone special know how proud you are with a thoughtful graduation quote or congratulations message. Whether theyâre embarking on their next adventure in academia or backpacking around the world, these sweet graduation messages will put a smile on their face and make them feel loved.
For the ultimate way to say well done and good luck, match your graduation message to one of our congratulations cards. Every design can be customized, so you can change the layout, fonts, colors, and wording to make it feel uniquely âthem.â