What to write / Good luck messages for exams, tests and big days
Good luck messages for exams, tests and big days
A good luck message does two jobs. It tells someone you know what's coming, and it reminds them they're more ready than they feel.
Here are 53 to use: for GCSEs, A-levels and finals, a driving test, an interview or a new job, a first day at school, an operation, a big match or a first night, a move abroad and a new business. There are short ones and funny ones too.
Pick one that sounds like you, change a word if you need to, and send it before the big day rather than on the way in.
How to write one
Name the thing
'Good luck with your driving test on Friday' shows you've been listening. 'Good luck with everything' could have been sent to anyone.
Remind them what they've already done
The revision, the lessons, the training runs, the years of talking about it. Confidence comes from evidence, so point at some.
Take the pressure off
Say you'll be proud either way, or that there's tea and cake afterwards whatever happens. It's easier to do well when the result isn't the only thing on the table.
Go gently before an operation
Luck isn't quite the word for hospital. Say you're thinking of them, offer something practical, such as feeding the cat or doing the school run, and tell them there's no need to reply.
Send it the night before
On the morning itself they'll be looking for their keys and their nerve. A message the evening before gets read twice. Afterwards, send another asking how it went.
Short good luck messages
One line is plenty the night before a big day.
Good luck. You've done the work. Now go and show them.
Thinking of you today. Go steady, breathe, and ring me after.
You're more ready than you feel. Good luck.
Rooting for you today, loudly, from the sofa. Go and get it.
Good luck today. Whatever happens, there's tea and cake at ours afterwards.
Good luck messages for exams
For GCSEs, A-levels and university finals. Mention the work they've put in and leave grades out of it.
Good luck with your GCSEs. You've revised, you've highlighted everything in sight, and you know more than you think. Read the question twice and take your time.
Good luck in your exams. One paper at a time, and remember there's a whole summer waiting on the other side.
Good luck with your A-levels. Two years of work comes down to a few mornings, and you're ready for them. Steady as you go.
Best of luck for your A-levels. Eat breakfast, pack a spare pen and trust what you know. We'll have the kettle on when you get home.
Good luck with your finals. Three years of early lectures and late nights in the library are about to pay off. Go and write it all down, then come home and sleep for a week.
Good luck in your exams. They measure what you can remember on one morning, not what you're worth. Do your best, and we'll be proud of you whatever the results say.
Good luck messages for a driving test
Good luck with your driving test. Mirror, signal, deep breath. You've driven every one of those roads a dozen times.
Good luck today. Drive as if your nan's in the back: smooth, steady and no sudden surprises.
Best of luck for your test. If you pass, I'm claiming the first lift. If you don't, plenty of very good drivers needed a second go.
Good luck with your driving test. Take your time at the roundabouts and don't let the clipboard put you off.
Today's the day. Go and get rid of those L-plates. I'll be waiting by the phone.
Good luck messages for a job interview or a new job
The first three are for an interview, the rest for a first day.
Good luck with the interview. Be yourself, tell them what you've done, and remember you're finding out about them as well.
Good luck today. They asked to see you because they liked what they read. Now go and be the person on that CV.
Best of luck for your interview. Shoulders back, deep breath, and ring me the minute you're out.
Good luck in your new job. Find the kettle, learn two names and the rest will follow. They're lucky to have you.
Good luck on your first day. Everyone feels like the new one for a week. By Friday you'll know where the good biscuits are kept.
Congratulations on the new job, and good luck for Monday. You earned this one. Go and enjoy it.
Good luck messages for a first day at school
Four for the child, and one for the grown-up left at the gate.
Good luck on your first day at school. You're going to make friends, paint pictures and learn all sorts. I can't wait to hear about it.
Big school today. Your uniform is smart, your shoes are shiny and you are ready. Have a brilliant first day.
Good luck at your new school. Everyone's new today, so say hello to one person and you're halfway there.
Have a wonderful first day. Be kind, listen to your teacher and eat your sandwiches. We'll be at the gate at home time.
Good luck with the first school run. They'll be fine by half past nine. You might need until lunchtime. Thinking of you both.
Good luck messages for an operation or hospital stay
Gentle and practical. Offer one thing you'll do, and say there's no need to reply.
Thinking of you ahead of your operation. You're in good hands, and we'll be here when you come round. All our love goes with you.
Good luck for tomorrow. I'll be thinking of you all day. Don't worry about anything at home: the dog is walked and the bins are done.
Wishing you well for your operation and a steady recovery afterwards. No need to reply to this. I'll ring the family in the evening to hear how it went.
Every good wish for your time in hospital. Rest, let them look after you and come home when you're ready. We'll have everything waiting.
Thinking of you today, with all my love. One step at a time. I'll visit as soon as you feel up to company, and I'll bring the crossword.
Good luck messages for a big match, race or performance
Good luck in the big match. Play your own game, enjoy it and leave everything on the pitch. We'll be the loud ones on the touchline.
Good luck in the race. All those dark, wet training runs were for this. Start steady. We'll be at the finish with a banana and a dry jumper.
Good luck tonight. You know every line and every note. Take a breath, find us in the third row and enjoy it.
Good luck in your show. We'll be in the audience, trying very hard not to wave. We're so proud of you already.
Good luck in the final. You've earned your place there. Win or lose, the chips are on us afterwards.
Good luck with your audition. Nerves only mean it matters. Walk in as if you belong there, because you do.
Good luck messages for moving abroad or a big trip
Good luck with the move. New country, new streets, new everything. You'll have it feeling like home in no time, and we're already looking at flights.
Good luck on your travels. Take lots of photos, try everything once and message us so we know you've landed.
Good luck with the big move. We'll miss you more than we're letting on. The spare room is yours whenever you're back, and the teabags are in the post.
Have the most wonderful trip. You've planned it, saved for it and bored us all with the itinerary. Now go and enjoy every mile.
Good luck out there. It's only a time difference, and I'm happy to be woken up. Go and have an adventure, and come back with stories.
Good luck messages for starting a business
Good luck with the new business. It takes nerve to go it alone, and you've plenty. I'll be your first customer and your loudest one.
Congratulations on opening day, and good luck. You've talked about this for years, and now your name's above the door. We couldn't be prouder.
Good luck with the new venture. There'll be long days and a lot of spreadsheets, but you're doing it for yourself now. That's worth all of it.
Here's to the new business. You know your trade, you're good with people and you don't cut corners. Word will get round. Good luck.
Good luck going self-employed. Take a lunch break, send your invoices on time and tell us how we can help.
Funny good luck messages
For a driving test, a new job or a match. Not for hospital.
Good luck. I've crossed my fingers so hard I can't hold my tea. Hurry up and do well.
Good luck with your driving test. I'll be staying off the roads between ten and eleven, purely as a precaution.
Good luck in the new job. Don't be brilliant on the first day or they'll expect it every day.
Good luck. I'd lend you my lucky socks, but they've never once worked and I can't remember when they were last washed.
Best of luck. If it goes well, it was all down to this card. If it doesn't, we never spoke.
What to leave out
- 'Don't be nervous': nobody has ever stopped because they were told to.
- Stories about someone you know who failed three times.
- 'You'll walk it': if they don't, they'll feel worse.
- Jokes before an operation, unless they're the one making them.
- Asking for the result before they've offered it.
Questions people ask
What can I say instead of good luck?
'Thinking of you today', 'Go and show them', 'I'll be cheering', or simply 'You're ready'. Before an operation, 'Wishing you well' is kinder than 'good luck'.
What is a good short good luck message?
One line that names the day and backs them: 'Good luck on Friday. You've done the work.' Short is good here. Nobody wants to read an essay the night before an exam.
When should I send a good luck card?
A day or two before, so it's there the evening before the event. If you've left it late, send it by WhatsApp or email on the morning: an animated card arrives in seconds and still feels like a card.
What do you write in a good luck card for exams?
Mention the exams by name, remind them of the work they've put in, and take the pressure off with something to look forward to afterwards. Leave grades and targets out of it.
Is it all right to send a funny good luck message?
Yes, for a driving test, a new job or a match, if they're someone who'd laugh. Follow the joke with a line that shows you mean it. For an operation or anything frightening, keep it gentle.
What do I say if it doesn't go well?
Say you're proud they went for it, and don't rush to fix it. 'That's rotten luck. Tea at mine?' does more than a list of reasons it wasn't their fault.