What to write in a graduation card: 40+ graduation card wording ideas

If you’ve got a soon-to-be grad in your life, you’re probably filled with inexplicable levels of joy and pride. Whether they’re saying goodbye to their high school or college years, your grad deserves to be celebrated thoroughly and recognized for all the hard work they’ve completed—but you already knew that!

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Sending your grad a heartfelt graduation card is a great way to let them know just how proud of them you are. Definitely easier said than done though, right? We know finding the right words can be hard, so we put together this list of graduation card wording ideas to help make the writing process easier. Scroll through to get inspired!

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A congratulatory send-off

1. Congrats, grad!
2. You did it!
3. Oh, the places you’ll go!
4. So proud of you!
5. Cheers to you, grad!
6. Hats off to my favorite grad!
7. I can’t wait to see all you accomplish!
8. You forever inspire me!
9. Kudos to you for reaching this amazing milestone!
10. Bravo to you for all that you do!

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Something sentimental

1. I am so proud of all you’ve accomplished.
2. Your journey is just beginning. 
3. May your path forward be as remarkable as the one you've traveled on so far.
4. As one chapter ends, a new one begins. 
5. I will always be rooting for you.
6. May your future be as bright as your potential.
7. Your achievements are a testament to your perseverance and strength.
8. Each challenge you overcame has shaped you into the incredible person you are today.
9. Savor this achievement and cherish these memories.
10. May your dreams take flight.
11. I can’t wait to see all that you’ll do in this life.

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A bit of humor

1. Sh*t just got real.
2. The tassel was worth the hassle!
3. You did it! Your reward: a fancy piece of paper.
4. Now it’s adulting time.
5. May your coffee be strong and your Mondays be short.
6. I guess hard work really does pay off.
7. Congrats on becoming an expert in eating instant noodles and cramming for tests.
8. Bye, bye, late-night study sessions! Hello, 9-5 life!
9. Way to go, smarty pants! 
10. Congrats on the new brain upgrade.

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An inspirational quote

1. “I encourage you to live with life. Be courageous, adventurous. Give us a tomorrow, more than we deserve.” —Maya Angelou
2. “Imagination is everything. It is the preview to life's coming attractions.” —Albert Einstein
3. "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." —Henry David Thoreau
4. "Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead." —Nora Ephron
5. "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." —Eleanor Roosevelt
6. "Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." —Ralph Waldo Emerson
7. "The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today." —Franklin D. Roosevelt
8. "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life." —Steve Jobs
9. "Believe you can and you're halfway there." —Theodore Roosevelt
10. "The beautiful thing about learning is no one can take it away from you." —B.B. King
11. "Your education is a gift that only you can give yourself." —Oprah Winfrey

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Now that you’ve figured out what you want to say, make sure to browse our selection of graduation cards. You can even attach an eGift card to really make their day. There may not be an actual gift-giving test IRL, but if there was, this list of the top eGift cards for grads would be the ultimate cheatsheet.

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And if you’re looking for even more ways to celebrate your grad, consider sending out graduation party invitations and throwing them the most epic graduation party ever. We even put together a graduation party checklist to help guide the planning process! (Not to state the obvious, but gifts are also a great way to make them feel celebrated, and our list of gift ideas for college graduates is the perfect place to find perfect gifts!)