60+ Things to Avoid in a Graduation Speech to Make it M

Things to Avoid in a Graduation Speech can be the exact things that make or break your big mic-drop moment. If you’re about to step up to that podium, hold up because one wrong line, a dragged-out cliché, or a cringey joke can instantly turn inspiration into yawns.

You don’t get a second shot at your one chance to speak to your class, your school, your family so why not make it unforgettable for the right reasons? This isn’t just about being a “good speaker.” It’s about avoiding the stuff that quietly kills the vibe. Let’s make sure you nail it.

Table of Contents

🎭 Don’t Be the Star of Your Own Movie (Graduation Speech Edition)

Graduation speeches are about them, not you. Save the Oscar speech for your bathroom mirror.

“When I was your age…” Nope. No one cares.
Talking about your backpacking trip through Europe unless you met a unicorn is a no-go.
Don’t start 14 sentences with “I” and expect people not to count.
It’s not a TED Talk about your entrepreneurial journey, Steve.
Keep your family drama outta the speech. This isn’t Thanksgiving.
Avoid reciting your entire GPA progression. Please. We beg.
The audience didn’t show up to hear your memoir’s prologue.
Do not use this moment to pitch your podcast.

💬 Clichés Are the Junk Food of Graduation Speeches

They’re easy to grab but leave a weird aftertaste and zero nutrition.

“This is not the end, it’s just the beginning.” We’ve heard it. We get it.
“Shoot for the moon…” Just no.
“Follow your dreams.” As if anyone wakes up and thinks, “Nah, I’ll just ignore ‘em.”
“The future is in your hands.” Ok, Thanos.
“Don’t be afraid to fail.” Then don’t fail at originality.
“Every ending is a new beginning.” Bruh. That’s a shampoo commercial.
“We did it!” minimum effort, maximum cringe.
“As we stand here today…” Why are we standing in your imagination?

🤐 Avoid Inside Jokes That No One Else Gets

You might be hilarious. You also might be that kid who thinks shouting “banana” is peak comedy.

If your joke needs a yearbook to be understood, ditch it.
Don’t make fun of Mr. Patel’s socks unless Mr. Patel is the dean and literally laughing.
Secret handshakes? Cool. Secret punchlines? Not so much.
Referencing your friend’s weird smoothie habit is just confusing.
Avoid roasting your classmates like it’s a Comedy Central special.
Mentioning “that one time in chemistry” doesn’t help the parents.
Faculty inside jokes? Yeah… they don’t land.
If it feels exclusive, it probably is. Keep it wide, keep it wise.

🧱 The Wall of Words: Don’t Build It

Long speeches are like bad relationships. They drag on, and nobody knows how to end them.

Keep it under 10 mins. Seriously.
5 mins is better than 15. Always.
Don’t list every subject you passed. You’re not being knighted.
Monologues are for theatre, not graduation ceremonies.
Paragraphs about “the meaning of success” make people’s souls leave their bodies.
Repeating the same story from three different angles ain’t storytelling it’s circling the drain.
You’re not giving a lecture on life philosophy 101.
If your speech pacing and structure feels like a staircase with missing steps, fix it.

📢 Don’t Talk Like a Broken Instagram Motivational Quote

Just ’cause it looks good in a font doesn’t mean it belongs in a speech.

“Be yourself; everyone else is taken.” Wilde didn’t mean for it to be repeated every May.
“What lies behind us…” Let’s just leave it behind, thanks.
Throwing in inspirational graduation quotes like glitter won’t save your script.
No one wants to hear 6 straight quotes with no story in between.
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” unless you’re taking that shot again.
Your quote from TikTok sounds cool, but it’s just… hollow.
Don’t start with a quote unless you’re gonna outshine it.
Motivational speech elements are like spices. Sprinkle, don’t dump.

👀 Don’t Read. Perform. But Don’t Overact Either.

There’s a fine line between poetic and soap opera.

Reading word-for-word like it’s bedtime is snooze fuel.
Over-enunciating every single word feels robotic.
Whispering suddenly to be “deep”? Nah, just creepy.
Don’t pace the stage like you lost your car keys.
Maintain eye contact don’t search the ceiling for divine approval.
Confident body language doesn’t mean flapping like a seagull.
Use bullet-point notes, not a script with 47 highlights.
Breathe. Speech delivery techniques start with not fainting.

🤯 Complexity Is Not the Flex You Think It Is

Impressing your professors doesn’t mean boring your peers.

Don’t use “postmodern existentialism” unless you’re defining it.
Big words ≠ big impact.
If even you can’t pronounce it smoothly, cut it out.
Don’t cite your thesis. No. Really. Don’t.
Using five-syllable words where one would do makes you sound like a dictionary that tripped.
You’re not auditioning for Mensa.
Your graduation speech structure should be clear, not cryptic.
Keep it heartfelt, not Harvard essay.

😶 Fast Talkers and Filler Junkies, Beware

Rushing = stress. Filler = fluff. Combine both, and you’ve got… a mess.

“Um, like, so yeah…” Cut all that.
Racing through your lines is not a track meet.
If you’re gonna cry, slow down. Not sob-rap.
Clear and slow speech doesn’t mean sloth speed. Just chill.
Don’t fill the silence. Let it breathe.
If you trip over your words, don’t panic. Just keep it movin’.
Your nervous giggles are okay just don’t turn into a hyena.
Fast speech = dropped punchlines. Don’t sabotage yourself.

💔 Emotion Is Okay. Emotional Meltdown? Maybe Not.

Feel things. Just don’t turn it into a therapy session.

Crying a little? Fine.
Wailing like a baby seal? Distracting.
Don’t sob through every name you mention.
Emotional pauses are fine, but don’t pause after every second word.
If you can’t speak without trembling, consider writing instead.
Avoid emotional spirals into existential dread.
Over-emotional delivery can drown your actual message.
Be real, not wrecked.

🪞 Authenticity > Perfection. Every. Time.

People remember honest stumbles more than polished fakery.

Don’t pretend to be cool. It shows.
Don’t quote philosophers if you don’t believe what they’re saying.
If you’re not funny, don’t force the jokes.
Don’t fake wisdom. Speak your truth, however weird.
Avoid making it too “Hallmark.” You’re not a card.
Lack of authenticity = people tuning out.
Tell your version of hope, not a borrowed one.
Share one raw, specific moment it’s gold.

🎯 Graduation Speech Mistakes That Kill the Vibe

Want to honour the graduates? Start by not ruining the mood.

Forgetting to congratulate the class? Yikes.
Leaving out parents and family? Rude.
Not thanking the educational institution? Come on.
Neglecting cultural diversity in the room? Problematic.
Ignoring your audience entirely while going on your own tangent? Risky.
Making divisive comments political rants, controversial jokes? Save it.
Avoid giving unrealistic expectations about life.
This ain’t a roast. It’s a toast.

🧭 Practical Advice Beats Fluffy Words

Every grad wants at least one takeaway that isn’t “Dream big.”

Say something about overcoming stage fright they’ll thank you.
Offer one real failure and what you learned.
Mention that “networking” sometimes just means saying hi.
Bring up budgeting. Yes, money.
Talk about rejection. Normalize it.
Mention burnout. It’s real.
Talk about taking naps and therapy. That’s life too.
One practical life advice line can change someone’s direction.

📣 Ending the Graduation Speech Without a Fizzle

No one wants to cheer for a speech that just… evaporates.

Don’t end with “That’s it.” You’re not turning in homework.
Avoid ending with a quote unless it really lands.
Don’t say “Thank you” and walk off awkwardly.
Avoid rambling apologies. End on intention, not insecurity.
Impactful closing statements leave people with a feeling, not a shrug.
Loop back to something you said at the beginning. It’s like tying a bow.
Finish with a personalized message for graduates, not another generality.
Leave them with something they’ll wanna tweet or scribble in a yearbook.

Conclusion: Things to Avoid in a Graduation Speech

You don’t need to be Maya Angelou or Morgan Freeman to give a memorable graduation speech. You just gotta skip the nonsense, avoid the traps, and speak like you mean it. Be bold, be brief, be a little bit weird but mostly, be human.

Now tell me this what’s the worst (or best) line you’ve ever heard in a speech? Drop it below or tag that one friend who’s totally gonna wing their graduation speech. 🎓