Preparing for a Class Reunion

(ARA) – It’s reunion season, and if your 10-, 20- or even 30-year reunion is around the corner, you might be contemplating whether you should attend or not. Although the opportunity to see old friends and teachers is appealing, many people find themselves apprehensive about going. If you’re on the fence, you should consider attending, and with a little preparation, you’ll be sure to have a great time. 
It’s not on usual to look back on your high school years with a combination of fondness and maybe a little regret. Although 74 percent of people polled in the Classmates.com 2008 Reunion Poll would do things differently including being more social, more active and less shy if they could go back and do high school over again, many are very interested in reconnecting at their next reunion. In fact, 93 percent want to hear from school friends and even 52 percent hope to see their former teachers. 

”Attending your reunion is a great way to revive friendships — and memories — that were an important part of your life,” says Dennie Hughes, relationship expert for Classmates.com. “The friends you’ll reconnect with at a reunion are the ones that knew you when life was simpler — before you were married, had a job, or were known by any other title than simply your name.” 

Hughes adds that if you’re stressing out about what outfit to wear or how much you weigh, you’re going to your reunion for the wrong reasons. “People really just want to connect with you and see how you are doing. And most people are mature enough to be open and nonjudgmental. Reunions are really about connecting with friends again and maybe even making some new ones. Also they are important for realizing people are like you — human. Some are financially successful, some are happy, some have really changed — and some have not.” 

Before your reunion, it might be a good idea to refresh on some of the people, and those school-day memories so you get excited about the event. Here are a few ideas for reconnecting and preparing for your next class reunion: 

* Check out online communities, such as Classmates.com, where you can stay-in-touch with friends you’ve actually known. Join a message board and post your own information to start enjoying new connections and conversations. Basic memberships are free and invaluable for finding out who’s doing what and where. 

* Spend some time with your yearbooks to reacquaint yourself with those friends you’ll be seeing again. Read the messages that were written to bring back fond memories you can then share at the reunion. 

* Get in the mood by listening to some music from that time period. Remember what clothing was trendy and what songs were most popular. Did your school have the hippie vibe from the 60s or is it new wave that gets your inner Flock of Seagulls (and memories of your outer corresponding do) going? Do you still have that Members Only jacket in the back of your closet or an 8 track cassette player that still works? 

* Send an e-mail or call the people you stay in touch with and make plans to enjoy quality time together while visiting your hometown. You could plan a lunch together the day before the reunion. Ask if there are other people they might keep in touch with who could be invited. Contacting people ahead instead of just going in cold can make all the difference in comfort levels. 

* After the reunion, create and share a photo album or Web site. This is a fun way to show those no-shows what a fabulous time was had and encourage others to attend next time. 

“Remember, you’re not the only person who’s going to feel a little apprehensive. We all have a tendency to worry about being judged, I say, shake off those nerves and go. I think most people will be delightfully surprised to see their friends, catch up on what’s happening in their lives, and find a sense of who they really are by reconnecting with their past and the people who they shared it with,” says Hughes. 

For more ideas on how to find old friends and make the most of reunions, visit www.classmates.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent