14 End-of-Year Yearbook Trends Everyone Tried
Yearbooks have always been more than just pages of photos and memories. They’re a time capsule filled with trends that defined the final days of school.
- Tricia Quitales
- 5 min read
End-of-year yearbooks capture more than class pictures and club rosters — they reflect the cultural moments students shared. Over time, certain trends became almost a rite of passage, popping up in schools across the country regardless of location or grade level. From personalized messages to creative photo poses, these traditions helped students leave their unique mark. Whether cringeworthy or creative, these trends united classmates in a shared celebration of the school year’s end.
1. Signing with Inside Jokes
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Every yearbook became a codebook of inside jokes only certain groups could understand. Students filled pages with nicknames, shared phrases, and cryptic callbacks to random moments. These references often made no sense to anyone else, but they were gold to those involved. It was a way to preserve friendships in writing. Even years later, flipping through those pages brought back memories instantly.
2. Drawing Mustaches on Friends’ Photos
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What started as a joke quickly became a yearly tradition. Students would sneak in doodles on each other’s portraits, adding mustaches, glasses, or silly hats. It often led to laughs, minor scolding from teachers, and even friendly retaliation. The more outrageous the drawing, the more memorable it became. Somehow, it never really went out of style.
3. Writing “H.A.G.S.” Everywhere
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“Have a Great Summer” was the go-to phrase when you didn’t know what else to write. H.A.G.S. filled yearbooks from front to back, especially among classmates who barely talked. It was a universal message that said, “We shared this space, and I wish you well.” Overused but oddly endearing, it became a yearbook signature all its own. Some even added fake variations just for fun.
4. Predicting Future Careers
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Students loved writing what their friends would be in the future — whether as a joke or a real guess. “Future millionaire,” “next president,” or “professional napper” were common predictions. These forecasts became a mix of dreams, sarcasm, and wishful thinking. Looking back years later made the comments even more entertaining. It added humor and imagination to the pages.
5. Posing with Group Hand Signs
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From peace signs to initials made with fingers, group photos often included hand gestures. Friends coordinated poses to show unity or just to stand out. Some trends were specific to certain years or social groups. The more creative the pose, the better the memory. It became a visual tradition passed down from class to class.
6. Creative Superlatives
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While traditional titles like “Most Likely to Succeed” remained, students started adding funny or unexpected categories. “Most Likely to Trip on Stage” or “Most Likely to Invent a Holiday” showed personality. These superlatives gave quieter students a chance to shine. They were often the most-read section of any yearbook. Some even sparked debate over who really deserved the title.
7. Using Song Lyrics in Messages
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Song lyrics found their way into yearbook notes, especially if they captured a mood or friendship. Students quoted favorite artists to sum up feelings they couldn’t express on their own. Sometimes they were serious and emotional, other times completely random. These lines added personality to simple signatures. They reflected the soundtrack of the school year.
8. Matching Outfits on Picture Day
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Friend groups often coordinated outfits for their yearbook photos. Whether it was matching colors, themes, or accessories, the goal was to stand out. These coordinated looks became small symbols of friendship and school spirit. Some even planned months in advance. It was a fun way to leave a stylish mark on the year.
9. Senior Quotes That Tried Too Hard
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Some students aimed for deep, philosophical senior quotes, while others went full comedy mode. Trying to be the most memorable often led to forced jokes or obscure references. Still, everyone wanted their quote to say something about who they were. It became a mini stage to sum up high school in one line. Even the most cringeworthy ones became iconic over time.
10. Using Colored Pens for Signatures
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Standard black or blue ink wasn’t enough for a standout message. Students brought in colorful gel pens to make their notes pop. The brighter the pen, the better the chance it would catch someone’s eye. Rainbow-colored messages filled margins and blank spaces. It turned each yearbook into a lively, handwritten art piece.
11. Leaving Blank Spaces for “Future Memories”
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Some friends reserved empty spots in each other’s books, saying, “Leave this space for next year’s memories.” It was optimistic and sentimental, suggesting the bond would last beyond that grade. Even if those memories never got written, the gesture meant something. It hinted at unfinished stories and ongoing friendships. The space itself became part of the memory.
12. Drawing Personal Logos or Icons
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Students often came up with personal symbols or logos to include next to their signature. It might be a cartoon face, initials inside a heart, or a favorite object. These doodles added uniqueness and personality to each message. They also served as mini art pieces scattered throughout the pages. The drawings made it easier to spot who wrote what.
13. Adding Stickers or Tape Art
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Some students got even more creative by decorating yearbooks with stickers, tape, or cutouts. It added a scrapbook feel to the traditional format. Others pasted in printed photos or small notes. This extra layer of design made each book more personal. Teachers sometimes frowned on it, but the trend persisted.
14. Writing Messages Upside Down or in Margins
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To stand out or hide inside jokes, students wrote in strange angles or upside down. Margins and page corners were prime real estate for secret notes. Some messages were written in code or backward text. It turned flipping through a yearbook into a mini treasure hunt. These playful notes gave yearbooks an interactive feel.