Sign a Yearbook
Signing a yearbook is often an art form, so it should be taken very seriously. Most likely, people will remember you by what you add, so it is vital to think about your message and make sure it's a good one.
Contents
Steps
Applying thoughtfulness above all
- Keep in mind that whatever you write, anyone can see it. Moreover, people who care about their time in school tend to keep their yearbooks forever, so the comment will be there for the same amount of time. Therefore, whatever you write, make something that lasts the test of time and shows your good character. It can be cute, meaningful, or funny, or all three, but make sure that above all, what you add is thoughtful and respectful.
- Avoid embarrassment. Spell the yearbook owner's name properly. If you can't remember their name or don't know how to spell it, just write "Yo" or "Hey!", etc.
- Don't take up a lot of space. Other people will be writing in the yearbook too. Apportion the space according to how well you know the yearbook's owner; more space for a closer friendship, a whole lot less for a class acquaintance with whom you've had very little to do.
- Perhaps apply a rule about space usage: For example, use about two inches by three inches if he or she is someone you know moderately well, and four by four inches if he or she is your absolute best friend.
- Think about whose book you're signing. Are they a good friend, a best friend, or just someone you've seen around in the halls? Think about how much space you're planning on taking up, there's no point in writing a page long message to someone with whom you're not really friends.
- Write with clean and neat handwriting. If what you add is messy, the owner won't be able to understand your witticisms or pearl or wisdom. If it's legible, then he/she will remember how cool you were and who you were.
- Make sure to include your first and last name. Without it, the chances of someone recalling you twenty years down the line are less likely. Without your last name, they cannot even find your picture.
- Sign the yearbook quickly. Don't hog the book all day; it is both annoying and obstructive to take a yearbook and not return it for twenty minutes. There are many people wanting to add their two cents worth too.
- If you want to be witty and that comes slowly to you, think about what you might add before the yearbooks come out. You could even write out a list of ideas for specific people you really want to say something special to.
Ideas for using when signing a yearbook
- Add something interesting. For example, "Hey (their name), have a great summer! I'll definitely miss your stupidity and the way you made me laugh. I hope to see you around next year! Always or From ------".
- One of the most popular and harmless things to do is write "H.A.G.S." (have a great/good summer), write a heart or a smiley face, and sign your name in a cute/funny way. However, HAGS can be annoying if written twenty times in someone's yearbook.
- If you get tired of signing HAGS, you can also sign "H.A.T.S" (Have a terrific summer).
- L.Y.L.A.S. is not used very often, but it is also harmless, and means Love You Like A Sister. Obviously, this is only for girls.
- Sometimes drawing little pictures can be cool.
- Include an inside joke. It's guaranteed that whenever he/she reads yours they'll laugh!
- Come up with a funny quote which people will remember. One could be: 'School is like a lollipop. It sucks until it's gone.' or 'yours till the chocolate chips.' Find something on the Internet if you're not feeling too original. If you want to be cheeky, you can say clever things like "I'm so glad you got to meet me this year." Or, something more professional like, "This year has been a blast and has gone too fast! or "Have a great Summer!"
- More examples: "Remember Grant, Remember Lee, to heck with them, remember me!" Or, "It tickles me and makes me laugh, to think you want my autograph."
- Be sincere and caring. For example, if you're signing your boyfriend's yearbook, write something like: If U B U and I B I it's EZ 2 C, Y I like U, and U like I.
- Try to make your entry look interesting and make it pop. Use different colors or make a border to make it look cool. He/she may think that you didn't really care about signing their yearbook if you don't show it.
- If the person is someone you don't know very well, write something simple and nice such as "Kendra, Have an awesome time this summer! -Josh" However, if you're close friends with the person, you can get more into like "Dear Alexis, I had an awesome time getting to know you this year, you're a great person and an amazing friend. I will miss you so much! Can't wait to see you again next year! XOXO, Michele" Be careful, if they are your close friend they probably wouldn't mind something like that. However you have to be cautious of the amount of space you're using up.
- If you are totally blanking on what to write, write, "Thank you, Hope you had a good year" and sign. You can always say that it was great to meet them/be in their class/become closer/see them again. And of course, there's no harm in saying "have a great summer" or "can't wait to see you next year".
Tips
- If you like, ask the other person to sign your yearbook first. Depending what they write, you can figure out what to write.
- Something that always works- inside jokes. Think back on your past with the person and reference that in your message! This could work for best friend, boyfriend, classmate- anyone you have a past with, really.
- If you want, you can develop a special signature or a personal sign-off. Becoming truly good at signing yearbooks takes practice, so you'll have to develop your techniques over time.
- Pick out a pretty color of glittery gel pen so your name stands out (but make sure it's fast-drying so you don't have to hold it open for 5 minutes to dry!).
- If you cannot come up with any other kind of little personal touch or 'gimmick' (as it were) for your signature, try signing upside down on purpose. This is one of those 'last-resort' signature gimmicks, though, since it's really kind of cheap.
- People will remember you by what you say. Try to say stuff that people will want to read when they look back on their high school memories well past high school. If you don't know the person too well, just say something like "It's been nice getting to know you, I hope you have a good summer!" Not everyone will want to read the same "H.A.G.S." throughout their high school and middle school yearbooks.
- Don't stress over what you write. A short note can be good too!
Warnings
- Be careful what you write. Other people will be seeing the book, so try not to talk badly about teachers or other students. You want to be remembered as somebody cool, not as a mean person.
- If you want to write "love always" or "xoxo" to your friends, that's great, but keep in mind that for some people it's not always taken the right way. Make sure you know who you're writing it to and think about it before you do it.
- Be careful who you write what to.
- In some schools, teachers read yearbook comments. Be sure not to use profanity or dirty jokes in your signatures, or you could get in trouble.
- If you have a problem with a person, do not talk about it in the yearbook. Eventually other signers will read it, and it will make you look bad.
- Do not include your phone number if you like somebody else. Friends might see their yearbook or they might brag about someone liking them.
- Try not to copy others' yearbook "phrases." Be original!
- Make sure that it doesn't look like you're trying too hard, because then they'll think you're pathetic.
Things You'll Need
- A pen. Make sure you have one that stands out among the thin ones. Use a Big Felt Tip if possible. Beware of Sharpies (or other marker pens) - it might bleed through the page to the other side!
- A yearbook for others to sign.
- People's yearbooks to sign
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