100 Inspirational Graduation Wishes to Recognize Their Hard-Earned Achievement

It's hard to believe it's time to celebrate the achievements of all the bright young minds out there. Whether it's high school, college, or beyond, graduation is a major milestone in a person's life, and it's always worth celebrating. That might look different for each family—giving graduation gifts, going out to a special meal, or throwing a graduation party (remember to make Ree Drummond's cute graduation brownie bites). But no matter what you choose, everyone wants to offer a few words of encouragement to their new graduate. They are entering the world, after all! So, if you don't know what to write in a graduation card, we have you covered with these funny and sweet graduation wishes!

With five amazing kids, The Pioneer Woman herself knows a thing or two about graduations. When Ree's eldest boy Bryce graduated high school in 2020, she got just a little emotional. "He was a little boy yesterday. This has snuck up on me, and I'm not ready. I mean, I am ready. But I'm not. But I am. But I'm not," Ree said. Excuse us while we look for some tissues. 🥺

Capture these emotions in a few wishes and notes of congratulations. We found funny messages for the jokester, words of wisdom, and even some inspiring quotes from graduation speeches to help usher your special someone into this new phase of life.

Short and Sweet Graduation Messages

• My beautiful, unique, and hard-working graduate. You are full of so much potential and we are so proud.
• Congratulations on your graduation! You did it! I know you'll go far in all your future endeavors.
• Hats off to you for achieving this milestone! Your hard work and dedication sure as heck paid off.
• A big congrats on your graduation day! You have accomplished so much and should be more than proud.
• You have reached a great milestone in your life, so hold on to the moment! The world is yours for the taking.
• Congratulations on graduating! Your hard work, determination, and perseverance have paid off.
• Congratulations on your well-deserved success. Remember this achievement any time you face doubts in the future.
• Y'all did it! Congratulations on graduating and making it to the next chapter in your lives. Now, go out there and take the world by storm!
• Congratulations on graduating and for all your achievements. The world needs your unique skills and talents, go forth and make a difference!
• Your graduation is a testament to your hard work and dedication. Congratulations to the hardest-working person I know!
• 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.
• As a graduate, you're like a well-seasoned cast iron skillet: strong, resilient, and ready for whatever comes your way.
• I can hardly believe it! You're all grown up and graduating! Congratulations and best wishes for all the adventures that lie ahead.
• Hip, hip hooray! You graduated! May your future be filled with joy, success, and all the good things you deserve.
• Your graduation is just the beginning of the exceedingly joyful journey into adulthood. Congratulations and remember to savor the moment.
• Congrats! You're like a fresh batch of cookies just out of the oven: hot, fresh, and ready to take on the world!
• Congrats on your graduation! You have worked harder than any one I know, and persevered through challenges to reach this milestone. Well done!
• Your hard work and determination have paid off, and the world is your oyster.
• Congrats on your well-earned degree! Never forget how impressive it is to have earned one.
• You have achieved something great today! I can’t wait to see where this degree takes you.
• You've made it to the finish line and it's time to take a breath before you start a new race. The next chapter will be full of surprises.
• You've accomplished something amazing and you should be proud. Remember to always keep learning, growing, and chasing your dreams.
• Your graduation is a testament to your hard work, dedication, and commitment. Here's to you!
• Congratulations! You are now a citizen of this world. What will you do to make it better? I can't wait to watch you grow.
• For the first time, the next chapter of the story is yours to write. I can't wait to see what you choose.

Wishes and Congratulations

• I hope your dreams take you to the corners of the earth, to the highest of your hopes, and to the most special places your heart has ever known.
• Congratulations on your graduation and best wishes for your next grand adventure.
• Chasing a dream requires passion and hard work. Congratulations on graduating and continue to strive!
• That tassel was worth the hassle! Congratulations!
• Behind you, all your memories. Ahead of you, all your dreams. Within you, all you need. Wishing you the best graduation.
• The next chapter gets really good. Congrats, grad!
• She believed she could so she did! May you continue to move mountains.
• Congrats on learning all the things!
• To the grad who deserves it all: adventure awaits.
• May your hat fly as high as your dreams!
• To our wonderful graduate: go confidently toward your dreams, live the life you have imagined, and keep making us proud.
• Always remember that there's no reason to worry because you get the job done.
• Big brain energy—congrats!
  
• Make a difference. Live the dream. Relish the adventure. Make your mark. Happy graduation
• You always got high marks, now it's time to make your mark!
• I wish you a future full of happy coincidences, necessary failures, and all of the success in the world.
  
• The community, the church, your family, and especially your mama bear could not be prouder of you.
• Congrats to the smartest kid around!
• Great results come from hard work. We're beyond proud.
• Driven doesn't even begin to describe your work ethic, but it's a start.
• We're beyond proud to be your parents/aunt/uncle. Congratulations!
• There are few times in life when you'll put as much work into a single accomplishment as you did for the last few years. Now it's time to celebrate!
• You have a big group of people behind you, cheering you on today as you graduate, and we are so honored to be a part of this special day!
• I hope that everything you learned unlocks any doors you find in the future.
• Congratulations, to our sweet, kind, and smart [daughter/son]. Aim for the stars because the sky is the limit!
• It doesn't matter the hand you're given. It's about the way you play your cards, and you have played them exceedingly well.
• To the person who never stopped imagining more, congratulations on this big day.
• When one door of happiness closes, another opens. We can't wait to see which door you choose!
• Congratulations on all of your well-deserved success.
• You've never been a quitter. Congratulations and best wishes for your next adventure!

Funny Messages

• Good looks, brains, heart, and now a diploma, too? Stop making me look bad! 😂
• I always knew you were a smart aleck, now you have a degree to show it!
• You may have brains, but don't trip on your way onto the stage!
• Congratulations! Now it's time to mourn the end of college life.
• This is the last time you can sleep in till 2 p.m., so catch those Z's while you can!
• Why didn't you tell me you were so smart?
• Despite losing my bet with your grandpa, congrats on your graduation.
• Here's to the end of eating ramen noodles and takeout.
• As you graduate don't forget to thank those who helped you get here: Google, Command C, and Command P.
• Congratulations! After the last four years, I can officially add "copy editor" to my resume.
• When everyone went through the front door, you always went through the window. That unique way of thinking has paid off!
• Congratulations on getting through the easiest part of life!
• Congratulations! Now don't let college be an excuse for not calling home!
• Well done! May you now get a job that makes you a billionaire so you can pay us back for school.
• You thought graduating was tough? Just wait till you get a boss!

Words of Wisdom

• Don't forget the connections you have made here, because your cohort will be the shakers and movers of the future.
• Be proud of this moment, and know you deserve all the successes you work toward.
• Failure is inevitable in life, but the greatest successes come from making mistakes.
• You probably had a mentor in your life that you are forever grateful for. And while you'll continue to have mentors, now is the time you begin to pay it forward. Give back to the community and mentor someone.
• 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.
• Imposter syndrome is real, but know you deserve to be here.
• You can only take credit for the accomplishments you earn.
• Every person you come into contact with matters. No matter what, treat them all with the same respect.
• Take the time to relax. Celebrate your accomplishments. Stressing about your future can wait.

Sentimental Sayings

• Go into the world and do well, but more importantly, go into the world and do good.
• Do all the ambitious and important things in life, but as you do, err in the direction of kindness.
• There is nothing more beautiful than finding your course in life.
• You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.
• You will never know what you're capable of unless you try.
• There will be growing pains, letdowns, and setbacks. Don't hold to anger, hurt, or pain. They steal your energy.
• The greatest gift you can give someone is believing in them. And you have a whole team of people who believe in you.
• When it comes to career decisions, close your eyes, take your time, and listen. What does your heart say?
• Live each day as if your life had just begun.
• Close some doors today. Not because of pride, incapacity, or arrogance, but simply because they lead you nowhere. Now, look forward.

Inspiring Graduation Quotes

• "Buckle up, you have good times and rough seas ahead. It is just part of life, but enjoy the ride and laugh a lot."—Ree Drummond
• "The old rules are crumbling and nobody knows what the new rules are. So make up your own rules." —Neil Gaiman
• "That clock you hear is the sound of your own heart. Sink your teeth into this life, and don't get let go." —Lin-Manuel Miranda
• "Don't be afraid. Be focused. Be determined. Be hopeful. Be empowered." —Michelle Obama
• "It is better to be a failure at something you love than to be a success at something you hate." —George Burns
• "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
• "Go make your big beautiful dent, and as you do so come down on the side of boldness. If you err, may it be for too much audacity, and not too little. For you really are enough. You have untold strengths and resources inside. You have your glorious self." —Sue Monk Kidd
• "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
  
• "Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant."
  ―Robert Louis Stevenson
  

Micaela Bahn

Micaela Bahn is a freelance editorial assistant and recent graduate from Carleton College, where she majored in English literature. She loves running, photography, and cooking the best new recipes.