5 Best High School Graduation Quotes

Cue the ceremonial music, put on the cap and gown, and move your tassel from the right side to left. It’s your big day – 12 years of schooling, perhaps 13 years if you went to Pre-K as well, have officially earned you that glorious piece of paper that certifies you as a high school graduate. You’re going to hear a lot of memorable things during the graduation ceremony. There’s no doubt that the principal of your school will have a thing or two to say, along with any keynote speakers who signed up to speak during the occasion. Then there is the valedictorian and any other notable student speakers who may be talking. Everyone wants to provide wisdom that will you, and your fellow classmates, will need on the next chapter of life.

Everyone has went through different experiences in life and learned life lessons that they can pass along – creating a smoother path for others to travel. While you won’t remember every single word that it uttered, when you listen to speeches or have conversations with others, it’s important to treasure a handful of quotes to live by. You’ll discover, as you move forward after graduation, that these quotes apply not only towards your new beginning after graduation but also towards the chapters that follow.

“It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all - in which case, you fail by default.” - J. K. Rowling

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You’re going to fall – sometimes you’ll fall harder than others. But, guess what? That’s perfectly okay! You’ll never have really tried if you haven’t stumbled along the way. Learn from your mistakes and try again – don’t ever allow failure to take over your possibility to succeed. There are so many great inventions that were discovered because of failure. Stay focused and never let go of the dreams and ambitions that you hold near and dear to your heart. Keep in mind that success doesn’t come easily, but when you do achieve success it will feel even more glorious because you will remember the challenges and obstacles that you had to overcome. One day you’ll look back on the times you failed and smile because you will be able to identify strength within your failure.

“Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.” - Simone Wiel

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You thought high school was hard, but that was nothing compared to the challenges that will be placed in your path. Stay attentive and never shrug off something because you think it’s beneath you or too easy. Life is tricky and every lesson along the way fits together like a puzzle. Give everything and everyone your utmost – don’t chalk things up to ‘this is just the way things are’. You are the navigator of your own destiny. While your Lord and Savior may have the map already written, you must be the driver. Never turn your head to a stranger. Approach each human being that you meet, with a newfound sense of generosity. You’ve probably heard that it is an incredibly small world – as you network and meet others, you’ll find this phrase to be truer than you ever thought was possible. Therefore, you should never burn a bridge and always do your best to be a genuine and sincere person.

“Don't be afraid of fear. Because it sharpens you, it challenges you, it makes you stronger; and when you run away from fear, you also run away from the opportunity to be your best possible self.” - Ed Helms

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It’s very important for you to know and accept that fear is inevitable and completely normal. You’ll discover that your fear is not something to be afraid of – in fact your fear is the very thing that has the power of pushing you to the point where you’ll actually try new things and push you towards success. Coming face-to-face with your fears will give you the opportunity to identify possibilities that lie within your future. Instead of turning away from fear, look to it for inspiration and hope that you can become stronger. Push the envelope and seek out ways you can become a better version of yourself. Fight the urge to run away – despite the feeling in your gut that’s telling you to stay on the path you’re familiar with. Trying new things and pushing the odds will help shape and cultivate you into the person God intended you to become.

“That diploma you hold in your hands today is really just your learner’s permit for the rest of the drive through life. Remember, you don’t have to be smarter than the next person, all you have to do is be willing to work harder than the next person.” - Jimmy Lovine

While you may believe that the piece of paper in your hands is a means to the end, you must relish in this moment, but remember that there is so much more ahead of you. Don’t allow your insecurities and fear to bog you down and force you to believe that the other people surrounding you are smarter. Remember that life is not a competition – live your life for you and not the others around you. Set goals and accomplish your own aspirations by not looking around you, but look within for the inspiration and drive you need. Take each day, one day at a time and don’t allow failed experiences to hold you down. Remember that there will be times when it feels like the entire world is against you, but if you hold onto your dreams and never give up then you’ll prove insecurities wrong.

“Life is an improvisation. You have no idea what's going to happen next and you are mostly just making things up as you go along.” - Stephen Colbert

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Oftentimes we look at celebrities and other successful people and believe that they have it all figured out. Whether it’s because they have money or wear lavished clothing labels, we all label success as different things. Either way, it’s very important to remember that no one really has the answers except your Lord and Savior. Life truly is a giant improvisation with a series of events that are completed on a whim and prayer. The key to a lot of successful improvised moments is confidence. Look within yourself and get inspired – reference the times things went exactly as planned and thrive off of those experiences. You’ll find that having self-confidence will greatly impact other facets within your life. It’s never going to be easy, but it will get easier along the way.