What to write in a graduation card

Graduation is definitely a major life milestone. It’s the culmination of years of hard work – suffering through early morning lectures with a hangover, surviving off beans on toast, spending hours in the library surrounded by stacks of books just so you feel like you’re doing something. Student clichés aside, it’s a massive achievement, so before they don the funny four-pointed hat and gown, it’s time to say a hearty well done.

Remember, the graduate has already done all the smart stuff. So, don’t rack your brains wondering what to write in a graduation card – use our handy guide to graduation wishes instead. Whether you’d rather keep it classic or make them laugh, we’ve got plenty of ideas for classic graduation wishes to write in their card. Have a read and start putting your pen to paper…

Simple graduation wishes

Just looking for some heartfelt, honest words to say congrats? Keep it sweet and short with these simple graduation wishes.

1. Well done, you did it! We’re so proud of you!
2. All of your hard work has paid off, well done.
3. Congratulations on your graduation – you should be so proud of what you’ve achieved.
4. Well done on graduating! Can’t wait to see what you do next.
5. The working world won’t know what hit it! Well done and congratulations.
6. Congratulations on your graduation day, and on your well-deserved success.
7. You made it! Well done on making it through three years of university. Enjoy your graduation, you’ve earned this!
8. Wishing you all the best for the bright future that’s ahead of you.

A nice selection of chocolates would make a great graduation gift for you to hand over alongside your card. So, take a look at our selection to really celebrate this massive win for them.

Funny graduation messages

Graduation is a big moment and one that’s full of joy – the perfect time to crack a little joke at a graduate’s expense with these funny graduation messages. After all, it’s a lot easier to take a joke when you’ve got a degree certificate in one hand and champagne in the other!

1. Alright, you’ve graduated – time to go get a job now, slacker.
2. When they hand you the degree certificate, keep moving before they realise and try to take it back.
3. I can’t wait to hear them pronounce your name horribly, horribly wrong at your graduation ceremony.
4. You’re now one degree hotter than you were before.
5. Congratulations! I now pronounce you officially unemployed.
6. Hope you don’t fall on your face when you’re collecting your degree. Congrats though!
7. She believed she could, and then she went and bloody did it. Well done!
8. Congratulations! You’re now a clever dickhead instead of just a dickhead.

As humorous as you’d like to be in your card, you need to remember that they’ve achieved something pretty special… and their graduation day is one that needs celebrating. So, as funny as you want to be in your card, make sure you take a look at our selection of gin graduation gifts to show them you’re only mucking around – and that you’re immensely proud!

Proud graduation messages

If ever there was a day to tell someone that you’re proud of them, it’s their graduation day. Whether you’re the proud parent of a graduate, a partner, sibling or a friend, tell them just how well they’ve done with one of these proud graduation messages.

1. We couldn’t be prouder of you than we are today. Well done for all you’ve achieved.
2. This is just the first of many successes for you – there’s so much more still to come.
3. You have made us so, so proud, and we can’t wait to see what you’re going to do next. You can do anything you put your mind to, and we’ll support you all the way.
4. You’ve come through some hard times to get here, but you’re here, and I could not be prouder of you.
5. This is the first day of the rest of your life, and I’m so touched to be here and to watch you graduate. I’m so proud of you, and I knew you could do it.
6. You’ve done so well to get here, and I know that you’re going to go out into the world and keep doing some amazing things.
7. No matter what you do, know that we will always be proud, but watching you graduate is really, really special. We knew you could do it.
8. I watched you take your first steps. I walked you to school every day. And now I’ll watch you walk in your graduation towards your bright, bright future. There aren’t words for how proud I am of you – I love you so much.

Since you’re super proud, you’ll also want to shower them with gifts. Treating them to a great bottle of fizz comes to mind, which you can order from us alongside a more traditional graduation card. That solves your problems on what to write in a graduation card and what to buy them – result.

Graduating during a tough time

Sometimes, graduation wishes can be a little tricky to master because the graduate you’re sending the card to is having a difficult time. Whether they’re unsure about their future, their graduation ceremony has been postponed or something major has happened in their life that’s made them almost overlook this exciting time, we’ve got sympathetic yet uplifting graduation messages to send their way.

1. Remember that this too shall pass, and we can celebrate this occasion together when you’re up to it. But remember, you’ve absolutely aced it!
2. Congratulations on making us all proud, now take some time to feel proud of yourself, because you really need to recognise how amazing you are. Love you!
3. Even though your graduation has been postponed, the celebration starts now. Well done for smashing it (as always).
4. So proud of you! The next chapter of your life will be full of excitement, even if it doesn’t feel like that right now.
5. As Jay Z sang, you came, you saw and you conquered! Now take the time to relax and look after yourself. Love you mate!
6. Don’t beat yourself up for not being the cheeriest you could be, you’ve got a lot on your plate…but you also have a degree, which is pretty incredible!
7. Well done you – you’re amazing (just remember that). Now, take things one day at a time – it’s about time you had a well-deserved rest!
8. Your official ceremony might have been cancelled but that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate your victory together! Let’s cheers to that.
9. What a great achievement, just remember that you’ve got this degree for life. Things might feel a little uncertain, but no one can take that shiny 2:1 away from you!
10. I’m beaming with pride for you. What a year you’ve had, and you’ve done it! Love you – we’ll celebrate when you’re ready.

For this type of well-thought-out graduation message, you’ll need a loving graduation card to match. Or, opt for a plainer typography style card to show them you’re thinking of them and congratulating them, without the pressure of a bright flashy card sitting on their mantlepiece.

We’d highly recommend sending a cute little graduation gift to brighten their spirits. A plant or a bunch of flowers would be our first choices. Why? Well, because they’re pretty to look at but are also meant to reduce anxiety. So, think practical for the graduate in question!

Graduation quotes

Graduation is a day to celebrate wisdom, which gives you a brilliant excuse to quote some great minds. If you’re stuck for what to write in a graduation card, then use one of these graduation quotes – you’re guaranteed to sound smart (and inspirational).

1. “Don’t be afraid. Be focused. Be determined. Be hopeful. Be empowered.” – Michelle Obama
2. “Be wise, because the world needs wisdom. If you cannot be wise, pretend to be someone who is wise, and then just behave like they would.” – Neil Gaiman
3. “Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead.” – Nora Ephron
4. For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.” – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), Eric Roth
5. “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
6. “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” – E. E. Cummings
7. So, what’s it like in the real world? Well, the food is better, but beyond that, I don’t recommend it.” – Bill Watterson
8. “Life is my college. May I graduate well, and earn some honors!” – Louisa May Alcott

Still struggling for ideas on what to write in a graduation card? Check out our range of graduation cards for some more inspiration! From funny cards to rude designs or cute messages, there’s a perfect card for every kind of graduate.

Planning more celebrations? Check out our guides on what to write in every kind of card, or head to our blog to find out how to make special occasions extra-special!