How to Get the Most Out of Your Class Reunion

Class reunions cause fear and anxiety in the most bravest of souls. Fear of judgment on appearance and life status cause many individuals to avoid class reunions altogether. Whether you were the jock, prom princess or class nerd, I say go to the class reunion and share the wonderful and unique human being you are and always have been. Here are some tips for you to follow to get the most enjoyment from your class reunion whether it is your fifth, twentieth or fiftieth. Immediately after responding yes on the invitation:

Make Hotel Arrangements. Whether the class reunion is one hour or five hours away, it will be beneficial to have a home base to get ready in or make last minute adjustments to dress or makeup. Choose a hotel with many pleasant amenities. This way if the class reunion turns out to be a big bust, you can still enjoy all the hotel has to offer and the time spent away from home will not be a total waste. Knowing the bed you are sleeping in for the night is just a few steps away will add much to your peace of mind. It is very difficult to fully relax and enjoy an evening out when you know you have a long drive ahead of you.

Arrange Child Care. Plan a fun sleepover for the children for the night. The knowledge that your children are well cared for and having an enjoyable night of their own will significantly contribute to your relaxed mental state for the evening and allow you to fully enjoy your class reunion.

Get Information On Former Classmates. Call former classmates that you are friendly with and share information on people you will likely be seeing the night of your class reunion. Register or take a peek at the the classmates website. (www.classmates.com) This website has many schools registered where former classmates post relevant information about where their lives have taken them since graduation. I say this in the most positive of ways. Having a few personal tidbits about the person you have not seen in twenty years can save you in an awkward situation at a class reunion.

Don't Make Any Drastic Changes To Your Appearances. Losing a few unwanted pounds or getting a trim at the hair salon just prior to the class reunion is fine. Don't chop all your hair off, go on an extreme fad diet or schedule cosmetic surgery . Show off the wonderful, real you and be comfortable in your own familiar skin.

Wear Comfortable Shoes. Fabulous, sky high stilettos may make your gams look great but you will not last longer than ten o'clock in them. You want to be comfortable and cut a rug into the wee hours with all your old classmates at your class reunion so be kind to your feet and wear something cute but comfortable.

Go Easy On The Cocktails. Alcohol can give you false confidence and steady your nerves at your class reunion. Keep it to two or three and switch to fruit juice for the rest of the night. You definitely don't want to be remembered as the one with the lamp shade on your head at future class reunions.

Stock Your Wallet With Current Pictures. Class reunions are perfect opportunities to brag about children and grandchildren. Don't be shy! Show off those extraordinary people you had a hand in creating. Toting your diploma from an Ivy League college is not exactly in good taste, but the snapshot of your one year old granddaughter with cake on her face at her birthday party - Absolutely!

Mingle, Mingle, Mingle! Converse with all those classmates you never talked to in school. So many years and water under the bridge often brings a clearer understanding of people. Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to share school memories with people you didn't socialize with at school.

Above all else, relax and let your personal light shine through. Enjoy your class reunion and let all your former classmates see the fabulous individual you are!