In a graduation card, congratulate them by name, say what you saw it take, and wish them well for what comes next. Two to four sentences. The line they will remember is the one that shows you noticed the work: the night shifts, the resit, the year they nearly left.
Below: a formula, examples for a close friend, family, a coworker and a graduate you barely know, some funny ones, and what to leave out.
A simple formula
- Their name, and congratulations for the exact thing. "Congratulations on your nursing degree" is better than "congratulations on your big day".
- What you noticed. The effort, not only the result.
- A wish, or a vote of confidence. Not advice, and not a question about their plans.
- Your name.
If there is money in the card, add one line about what it is for.
To a close friend
Congratulations, Dr Okonkwo. Four years, one flooded lab and a thesis title I still can't pronounce. I am so proud of you. Drinks are on me until further notice.
We did it, Jas. Three years of 9am lectures, most of which we attended. I would not have got through without you and your colour-coded notes. Here's to whatever is next for both of us.
You finished a degree while working nights and raising Eli. I don't know how you did it. Congratulations, Shona.
To family
From parents:
Dear Lucas, we watched you leave for the library in the dark all winter, and today we watched you cross that stage. We could not be prouder. Whatever you do next, you have already shown us how you'll do it. Love, Mum and Dad.
From a grandparent:
Dear Poppy, the first in our family to go to university, and you made it look easy even when it wasn't. Your grandad would have told the whole street. I'm telling them for him. All my love, Gran.
To a brother or sister:
Congratulations, little brother. You were always the clever one and now there's paperwork. Proud of you.
To a niece or nephew:
Congratulations on finishing school, Isla. You worked hard for those results and it shows. Enjoy the summer. You've earned it.
To a partner:
You did it. I saw every late night and every rewritten chapter, and I'm so proud of you. Now come back to the sofa.
To a parent who went back to study:
Congratulations, Mum. A degree at fifty-four, with all of us under your feet. You're the best example we've got.
To a coworker
Somebody who studied alongside the job has done two jobs at once. Say so.
Congratulations on the degree, Tomasz. Doing that on top of this place takes real stamina. Well done.
Congratulations, Renee. Two years of evening classes and you never dropped a deadline here. We are all very impressed.
For the card that goes round the office, one line each:
Congratulations. Very well deserved.
Well done, Renee. No more weekend essays.
Brilliant news. Enjoy having your evenings back.
To a graduate you barely know
A neighbour's son, a friend's daughter, a student you taught. Keep it to two or three lines and say how you know the family.
Dear Oliver, congratulations on your graduation. Your mum has told us how hard you worked. Wishing you every success in what comes next.
Congratulations, Amelia, from all of us at number 8. We hope you enjoy whatever you do next.
From a teacher:
Congratulations, Kayode. You asked better questions than anyone I taught this year. Keep asking them.
By stage
Leaving primary school. Write to be read aloud, and mention something they did.
Well done, Ava! You finished Year 6 and you were brilliant in the play. Your new school is lucky to get you.
Finishing high school. They are being asked about the future by everyone. Be the card that does not ask.
Congratulations, Mateo. School is done, and you got through it your own way. Have a brilliant summer.
A master's or a doctorate. Use the new title once. It is earned, and it makes them smile.
Dr Lindgren. It suits you. Congratulations on a long piece of work, finished well.
Funny, where it fits
Congratulations. You are now qualified to explain your degree to relatives every Christmas.
Well done. Please remember us when you're important.
You have a degree and I have a photo of you asleep in the library. We are both very proud.
With money
Say what it is for, not how much it is.
This is for the first round, or the first month's rent. Your choice.
A little something towards the interview suit. Well done.
When they do not know what is next
A graduate with no job lined up is tired of being asked. Make the card about today.
Congratulations, Freya. You don't have to know what's next yet. Today is for being proud, and we are.
What to avoid
- "Welcome to the real world." Also "now the hard part starts". Study was real, and it was hard.
- "So what's next?" And any question about jobs.
- Advice. A card is for congratulations. If they want your advice they will ask.
- A borrowed quotation. A famous line about the future says less than one plain line from you.
- Comparisons. With a sibling, a cousin, or your own results.
- Taking the credit. "We always knew", "after everything we paid".
- "Finally", to someone who took longer than planned.
- Jokes about student debt.
Doing it with Hemmingway
If you are stuck, the graduation message generator writes a first version. Tell it who is graduating, what from, one thing you saw them do to get there, and the tone you want. It uses only what you give it, so the detail has to be real. Read the result, change whatever does not sound like you, and write it into the card by hand.
For other good news, such as a first job, there is a congratulations message generator. If you are the one speaking at the ceremony, there is a graduation speech generator. And for the graduate with a pile of cards to answer: what to write in a thank you card.
Try HemmingwayDownload the app
Common questions
What is a short message for a graduation card?
"Congratulations, [name]. You worked hard for this and it shows. So proud of you." is complete on its own. If you know one thing it cost them, name it in the middle sentence.
What do you write in a graduation card for someone you don't know well?
Congratulate them by name, say one kind thing you have heard about their work, and wish them well in what comes next. Two or three lines is right. Sign with your full name, or say how you know their family.
What do you write in a graduation card when giving money?
Write your message first, then add one line saying what the money is for, such as a celebration, a first month's rent or something for the new job. Do not mention the amount.
What do you write in a graduation card from a parent?
Tell them what you saw: the early starts, the hard term, the time they kept going. Then say you are proud, in those words. Leave out advice and anything about what the course cost.
Should you give advice in a graduation card?
Usually not. A graduate gets advice from every direction, and a card is for congratulations. If you want to pass something on, keep it to one short line, and make it something you learned yourself, not a quotation.
What do you write in a high school graduation card?
Congratulate them on finishing, mention something they did well or enjoyed, and wish them a good summer. Do not ask what they are doing next. Three sentences is enough.