For High Schoolers: Short Messages for the Graduation Anthology — A Collection of Memorable Phrases
A graduation anthology created as the culmination of high school life.
Many of you may find yourselves unsure what to write, even if you’d like to add a short message.
You may have plenty you want to express—resolutions and hopes for the future, words to rally us as graduates—but when you pick up the pen, it’s hard to choose.
In this article, we introduce short, fitting messages for a high school graduation anthology.
Find the one that feels right, and be sure to include it in your graduation collection!
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[For High School Students] Short Messages You Can Use in Your Graduation Yearbook: A Collection of Memorable Phrases (31–40)
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.Laozi
These are the words of Laozi, a thinker from the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods who left many famous sayings to later generations.
His teaching is that no matter how distant a goal may feel, it all begins with taking the first step.
When thinking about your path or future, you may feel anxious or hesitant and want to stop.
However, the steady accumulation of daily classes, effort, and challenges undoubtedly leads to the future.
What’s important is not aiming for perfection, but continuing to take the steps you can take right now.
It’s a quote that gives you a gentle push forward.
Unprecedented / Never before achieved
We also use this phrase to praise people who have broken through barriers no one else could and set new records, or who have made discoveries that astonish the world, right? This expression refers to achievements that no one before has ever reached.
As training methods in sports evolve and new technologies emerge, records once thought unattainable keep being set.
Why not dive deep into what interests you or what you’d like to try, so you can set such records yourself?
Forge ahead with courage
It’s written as “勇往邁進” and read “yūō maishin.” Its dictionary meaning is “to advance bravely toward one’s purpose or goal.” Compared to the similar four-character idiom “猪突猛進” (charging ahead recklessly), this one carries a somewhat more refined or stylish image.
Many school sports teams use it as their club slogan, and it’s also famous for having been uttered by Yatarō Iwasaki, the founder of the Mitsubishi conglomerate.
Even if you feel anxious about the future, this is a phrase that will continue to support you.
Keep this word in your heart and move forward toward your dreams.
Do not forget your original intent.
This phrase is similar to the four-character idiom shoshi-kantetsu (carrying out one’s original intention).
If shoshi-kantetsu is a call to charge straight toward the goal, then shoshin wasuru bekarazu—“Never forget your beginner’s mindset”—feels like something a parent or teacher would say to keep us from getting conceited or falling into bad, needless habits.
Whether it’s the daily warm-ups you do in a sports club or the morning routines you perform as a working adult, repetition can make you let your guard down.
At times like that, this phrase gently reminds you to stay mindful.
Let’s keep a healthy sense of focus and a little excitement, and enjoy each day to come!
Actions speak louder than words.
This is a four-character idiom meaning “to quietly do what you’re supposed to do without saying it.” For example, before declaring, “I’ll study hard starting tomorrow!” you first sit down at your desk and begin studying—that’s fugen jikkō (action without words).
At school, if someone quietly picks up trash during cleaning time before anyone notices, or quickly helps a friend in trouble, that too is admirable fugen jikkō.
It teaches that actions matter more than words.
People who work steadily and quietly earn the trust of those around them.
Even without saying “I can do it!” your effort speaks loudest.
It’s okay if it’s something small—try silently doing what you can.
Your heart will surely feel lighter, and your confidence will grow.
[For High School Students] Short Messages for Graduation Yearbooks: A Collection of Memorable Phrases (41–50)
giving it your all
This is a four-character idiom that means to give it everything you’ve got.
It originally comes from baseball, referring to a pitcher throwing the ball with all their strength.
Nowadays, it’s used to express the attitude of tackling anything with full effort.
For example: “I gave it my all in the relay at the sports day right to the very end,” or “I put my all into my summer vacation independent project, so I’m confident!” No matter how small the task, putting your heart into giving it your all can become a great source of strength for you.
It’s okay to fail.
The experience of trying your best will surely make you stronger!
Late bloomer
It means that great talent and truly remarkable people take time to grow steadily.
In other words, even if results don’t come right away, it’s important to keep working without rushing.
A large wooden vessel can’t be made instantly; it becomes wonderful precisely because it’s crafted slowly over time.
This phrase is like magic words that brighten your heart: “Even if things aren’t going well now, don’t give up—keep trying!” For example: “I was bad at math at first, but with a ‘great talents mature late’ mindset, I practiced steadily every day and eventually became the best in my class.” Don’t rush—what matters is to keep going at your own pace with a spirit of “slow and steady growth.”