If you’re about to graduate, you might feel a lot of mixed emotions. Excitement, hope, and joy on the one hand. Apprehension, doubt, and fear, on the other hand.
And you might also feel a lot of pressure to leave some sort of legacy behind, make the most of your last days at school, and write the best yearbook quote ever.
But the reality is that much of this pressure is counterproductive.
Nothing’s ever ‘perfect.’ And, ironically, it’s by embracing the reality of your schooldays, with all of their ups and downs, embarrassments and awkwardness, wins and losses, that you can make the most of them.
On top of that, it’s always healthy to remember that school is just one chapter of your life. Graduating is just the start of another era, full of possibilities. You might choose to go to university or college.
Or you might instantly jump into the job market, or choose to start a family. Even if your school days weren’t all that you hoped for, you can learn from them and make the most of whatever opportunities come your way in the future.
Ideally, you want your yearbook quote to encapsulate who you are as a person in that chapter of your life. You want to be as genuine and authentic as possible. If you’re the class clown, embrace your love of humor. If you’re more academically or athletically focused, lean into something inspirational and empowering, and so on.
In a nutshell, think about who you are as a person, what you stand for, and what your values are. That being said, don’t overthink things too much. As important and imposing as yearbook quotes might seem, writing them is meant to be fun and lighthearted.
As Adobe points out, humor used in yearbook quotes shows your personality. Your quote doesn’t have to be very deep or incredibly profound. Instead, if you’re going for something funny, it’s a way to show your style and specific humor.
Think about what makes you laugh. You might even want to refer to a meme that you love, or that makes your friends think of you, for inspiration.
That being said, try not to copy memes outright, but put a personal twist on them. And remember that shorter and more punchy jokes often resonate with audiences better than long ones.
Something else to keep in mind is that humor, trends, attitudes, and social values change over time. It’s impossible to predict exactly how they’ll shift, but it’s something you should at least consider when writing your quote.
So, think about what words would stand the test of time.
Try to focus on self-aware humor, instead of mean-spirited quips, inside jokes, or language that targets others, Adobe notes.
According to comedy and speaking coach Chris Head, students considering creating original yearbook quotes that stand out can consider a few things.
For one, they could take someone else’s already serious yearbook quote and look for playful ways to parody it.
Alternatively, if you’re starting from nothing, you can think about sharing something personal about yourself, thanking someone for the help you received, or even giving life advice.
