What to Write in a Yearbook for a Friend: 50 Messages

7 min read · Aura

Knowing what to write in a yearbook for a friend comes down to one memory, one thing you like about them, and one line about the future. That's it. Three sentences beats a page of "HAGS" every time, and the closer you are, the more specific the memory should be.

If your hand freezes the second someone slides their yearbook across the desk (and you go quiet, mumble, and write "stay cool"), Aura finds where your presence leaks in moments like that and gives you one small move a day to fix it. Find my aura leak

How long should a yearbook message be?

Short version: match the closeness.

If you're signing 30 yearbooks in one lunch period, have three go-to templates ready (one per closeness level) and swap in a specific detail each time. Nobody compares.

The 3-part formula

1. Memory: "Remember when we got lost on the Year 9 trip?"
2. Compliment: "You're the funniest person in every room."
3. Future: "Can't wait to visit you at uni."

Every message below is a version of this.

What to write in a yearbook for your best friend

Your best friend's yearbook is the one where you're allowed to go long. These yearbook messages for best friend are starting points; swap in your real memories.

1. "I don't know how to fit four years into one page, so here's the short version: you made school bearable. Thank you for every 'are you okay' text."
2. "Remember the bus ride where we laughed so hard the driver pulled over? I still think about it weekly. Love you, see you at 2 a.m. FaceTimes."
3. "You were my first friend here and you're still my favorite. Whatever happens next, I've got you."
4. "To the person who knows my coffee order, my crush history and my Netflix password: please keep all three secrets forever."
5. "If you ever forget how great you are, read this: you're kind, you're funny, and you never left anyone out. Don't change."
6. "We're going to different cities but the group chat is forever. Answer your texts."
7. "Thank you for sitting with me the first week when I didn't know anyone. I'll never forget that."
8. "Best friend, worst influence, top tier human."
9. "Future roommates? Future maid of honor? Future business partners? All of the above."
10. "I'm proud of you. Not just for graduating, but for who you got brave enough to be this year."

Tip: write your best friend's message at home, not in the hallway. Ask to take the yearbook overnight.

What to write in your friend's yearbook (good friends)

For good friends, keep it warm and specific. Three to five sentences is perfect.

11. "Chem lab partners for life. Thanks for doing the math while I did the vibes. Good luck next year!"
12. "You made every lunch better. Don't forget us when you're famous."
13. "So glad we got put in the same group project. Best accident ever."
14. "You always hyped me up before presentations. Hope someone hypes you up next year as much as you deserve."
15. "Can't believe we're done. Thanks for the snacks, the notes and the laughs."
16. "You're one of the most genuinely nice people I know. Keep in touch!"
17. "The way you walked into every room like you owned it? Teach me."
18. "Team captain energy, always. Good luck at college (US) / uni (UK)!"

What to write in someone's yearbook you don't know well

This is where most people panic. What to write in a yearbook for someone you don't know well: keep it short, sincere, and based on one true thing you've noticed.

19. "We didn't talk much, but you always seemed so kind. Good luck next year!"
20. "Your art in the hallway display was so good. Keep making stuff."
21. "Thanks for lending me a pen that one time. You're a legend."
22. "Your presentation in English was honestly the best one. Good luck!"
23. "Wish we'd talked more. Have an amazing summer."
24. "You always had the best playlists in PE. Respect."
25. "Congrats on graduating! Wishing you the best."

If you really can't think of anything, "Wishing you the best, [name]" is fine. Short beats fake.

What to write in a yearbook for a classmate (no crush energy)

Signing for a classmate you're friendly with but not close to? Keep it light and neutral:

• "Great having you in class. Good luck with everything!"
• "Thanks for always making homeroom fun."
• "See you around, and good luck at [school/college]!"

Funny yearbook messages

What to write in a yearbook for a friend funny style: the joke should be one they'll get even in five years.

26. "Roses are red, violets are blue, I signed this yearbook, now you sign mine too."
27. "Here's my autograph. It'll be worth a lot when I'm famous. Probably."
28. "I'd write something deep but my pen is running out of ink and so is my brain."
29. "Reminder: you still owe me $3 from sophomore year."
30. "This message will self-destruct in 10 years. Read it fast."
31. "I was going to write something sentimental but I'm not crying, you're crying."
32. "Thanks for laughing at my jokes, even the bad ones. Especially the bad ones."
33. "Don't forget me when you're rich. My Venmo is in the back."
34. "HAGS. Just kidding, I'll actually write something. Okay, HAGS."
35. "You're the reason I'm good at Mario Kart. Thanks for nothing."
36. "Proof I was here: [scribbled doodle]."

Quick decoder: "HAGS" means "have a great summer." It's the classic lazy sign-off, which is exactly why it works as a joke.

Writing your own senior quote too? Our list of yearbook quotes not cringe has 60 that pass the 10-year test.

Leavers book messages (UK) and grad books (Canada)

What to write in a leavers book is basically the same as a US yearbook, just with UK flavor. You might be signing in Year 11 (end of GCSEs) or Year 13 (end of sixth form or college), and sometimes on a leavers shirt instead of a book.

37. "We survived GCSEs. Uni is going to be easy, right? Right??"
38. "Sixth form wouldn't have been the same without you. Proper gutted it's over."
39. "Thanks for the revision sessions that turned into two-hour chats. No regrets."
40. "To my form room bestie: keep in touch, you absolute legend."
41. "Don't forget us when you move to [city]. Come back for the reunion."
42. "Year 13 done. Off you go, be brilliant."
43. "Mocks, exams, results day. We did all of it together. Thank you."
44. "Can't believe this is the last time we'll be in the canteen queue together."

For leavers shirt messages, go shorter: "Legend", "Miss you already", "Stay class", or your name and a tiny doodle.

In Canada, grade 12 grad books follow the US style. "Grade 12 done! Thanks for every spare period chat" is a perfect Canadian sign.

The hardest part isn't the words, it's the moment: someone hands you their yearbook in front of their friends and you blank, rush, and write something forgettable. Aura asks you 16 questions and spots whether you tend to shrink in moments like that, lose your voice, or run on empty after. Then you get a 14-move plan with one small thing to try each day. Find my aura leak

Short yearbook messages for when you're signing fast

45. "Stay awesome."
46. "So glad I met you."
47. "Go get 'em."
48. "Keep shining."
49. "You've got this."
50. "Don't be a stranger."

Things to write in a yearbook: quick checklist

• Use their name. It instantly feels personal.
• Sign your full name, not just initials. In 10 years, "J" means nothing.
• Add your socials if you want to stay in touch. Pick a username with some aura first.
• Nothing you wouldn't want their parents to read.
• No roasts about looks, weight or grades.

Walk into signing day with more aura

Signing day, prom and graduation are all "everyone's watching" moments. In the next minute, Aura asks you 16 questions, gives you your aura tier, and shows which of six leaks is costing you, from shrinking when you walk in to eye contact that slips. You get 14 small moves, a one-tap nightly check-in and a streak. It's a one-time payment and runs in the browser.

Find my aura leak

FAQ

What do you write in a friend's yearbook?

Use the 3-part formula: a specific memory, a compliment, and a wish for the future. "Chem lab partners for life. You're so funny. Good luck at college!" works perfectly. Go longer for closer friends.

What to write in a yearbook for your best friend?

Go long and specific: two or three real memories, an inside joke, and a genuine thank-you. Ask to take the yearbook home so you're not rushing in a hallway.

What should I write in someone's yearbook if I don't know them?

One true, kind sentence: "You always seemed so kind, good luck next year!" or compliment something you noticed, like their art or a presentation. Keep it short instead of faking closeness.

What is a funny thing to write in a yearbook?

Light jokes that don't roast them: "Here's my autograph, it'll be worth a lot someday" or "You still owe me $3 from sophomore year." Avoid jokes about looks or anything that could hurt in five years.

What do you write in a leavers book in the UK?

Same idea as a yearbook: a memory, a compliment and a goodbye. "Thanks for the revision sessions that turned into two-hour chats" or "To my form room bestie, keep in touch" are classic leavers book messages.