Graduation is a time to celebrate all that the graduate has accomplished, but it’s also a time to say goodbye to those who are moving on to new chapters in their lives. Congratulating a graduate on their accomplishments is a must, but finding the right words can be tricky. Check out our tips and examples for congratulations messages that will make your grad feel special!
What to Include in Your Congratulations Message
When writing a congratulations message, it’s important to personalize it to the graduate. A generic “Congratulations on your graduation!” message will do little to show how proud you are of their accomplishments. Try including a specific detail about their achievement, or a memory that you have of them. For example, “You worked so hard for this, I’m so proud of you!” or “I remember when you were just starting college, and now you’ve graduated! Time really flies!”
In addition to personalizing your congratulations message, you should also make it sincere. Avoid any messages that might come across as insincere or forced. For example, “I’m so happy that you’ve finally graduated! I know you must be relieved!” This message sounds more like you’re happy that they’re no longer in school, rather than being proud of their graduation. Instead, try something like, “Your hard work has paid off, congratulations!”
Finally, don’t forget to sign your congratulations message. A simple “Love, Mom” or “Best wishes, John” will do.
If you’re struggling to find the right words, try one of these congratulations messages:
“So proud of you and all that you’ve accomplished! Congratulations!”
“Your graduation is just the beginning of great things to come. Best wishes for your future!”
“Wishing you all the best in this new chapter of your life. Congratulations on your graduation!”
“We are so excited to see what the future holds for you. Congratulations on your graduation!”
“You did it! Congratulations on your graduation! We know you’ll achieve great things!”
Things Not to Write in a Congratulation Card for College Students
“You did it!”
“We knew you could do it!”
“Time to celebrate!”
“Finally a college graduate!”
These are all things you shouldn’t write in a congratulations card for college students. Why? Because they state the obvious and don’t add anything meaningful to the congratulations message.
So, what should you write instead? Here are some tips:
Mention specific accomplishments: If the graduate has achieved something specific (e.g. top of their class, won a prestigious award), mention it in your congratulations message. This will make your message more personal and sincere.
Share a memory: If you have shared a memory with the graduate, mention it in your congratulations message. This will make your message more sentimental and memorable.
Offer congratulations and best wishes for the future: In addition to congratulations, wish the graduate all the best in their future endeavors. This shows that you are supportive of their future plans and want them to succeed.
Here are some examples of congratulations messages for college graduates:
“Congratulations on your graduation! You’ve worked so hard and you deserve this success. I’m so proud of you and everything you’ve accomplished. I know you’re going to do great things in the future.”
“I still remember when you first started college. It feels like it was just yesterday! Congrats on graduating and congratulations for everything you’ve achieved. I know you’ll continue to make us proud in whatever you do next.”
“We are so thrilled to see you graduate! Congratulations on this amazing accomplishment. Your hard work has paid off and we know that you will go on to achieve even greater things. Wishing you all the best in everything you do.”
Making Your Congratulations Message Stand Out
There are a few things that you can do to make your congratulations message stand out from the rest.
First, try adding a personal touch by including a photo with your card or gift. A photo of you and the graduate from when they were younger, or a recent photo of the two of you together, will help to make your congratulations message more personal.
Another way to make your congratulations message stand out is to include a quote that inspires or motivates the graduate. For example, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt. A quote like this will not only make your congratulations message more memorable, but it will also give the graduate something to look back on as they begin their journey into adulthood.
Finally, you can also add a special touch to your congratulations message by giving the graduate a gift that celebrates their achievement. A graduation-themed mug or frame, for example, is a small but thoughtful gift that the graduate will be sure to appreciate.
Last Thoughts
No matter how you choose to congratulate a graduate, the most important thing is that your message comes from the heart. A sincere congratulations message will let the graduate know just how proud you are of their accomplishment, and it will be something that they remember for years to come.