Wednesday, August 6, 2014

How to Impress at a High School Reunion




While there are many experiences in life that generate excitement, there are some that give anguish and dread all at the same time. The most common time we feel this is when it is time for our high school reunion. It’s true when that notification arises that it is time for the big return one might feel nervous, but with the following tips be sure to impress those old high school pals with the new and improved you.


Step Out: Get out of your comfort zone and mingle with others during the reunion and you are sure to be noticed. Perhaps you were shy in school, or the ‘cool crowd’ was out of your league, not anymore. Everyone is a new version of themselves at this point in life, you might find that you even like some of them more then you did before. Consider pretending you have never met these people before and get to know them as a new person. After all, you have changed too, haven’t you?


Significant others and Spouses: While you may have not gone to school with them, it is always polite to show respect and say hello. There is a fine line between being friendly and flirty however, always try and remember that. It’s always a good idea, if you did know them from before to keep the conversation current and not dredge up the old past and how you two may have been an item.


Perhaps you are now married or in a serious relationship yourself and want to bring your SO with you. Remember, they might not know the people there too, it’s important to keep them comfortable too. Don’t go around and leave them behind while you associate with your old pals and forget they exist. Nobody wants to feel like a third wheel, not even at a high school reunion.


Be Kind: Remember who you are today and what you want to show the world about yourself. You might be somebody who used to get teased a lot, or maybe the class clown or a bully. You are no longer that same person and it is time to show the entire graduated class that you are that person no more. Be kind and compliment each person you see, or simply tell them it is so nice to see them, even if you still hold resentment against them. It’s not a popularity contest anymore, so relax and let go. 


If you notice someone has changed in their appearance in a good or bad way, try to keep it civil and be classy about it. Keep your jaw up and don’t gossip about them to another person either. After all, you are out of high school.  


Be Honest: A lot of the times at high school reunions (even college reunions) people tend to fabricate who they are today and what they are up to. If you are unemployed or currently in-between jobs don’t be afraid to say so. Talk about the positive things in life such as your family, your church outings, anything in which you are proud of without sounding to boastful. 


Not everyone is the same. Some might be married with kids, some may be out of the closet finally, and some may even not remember you. That’s the joy about 10 year, 20 year and 50 year high school reunions, it is a time to get to be reacquainted and learn what has been going on in everyone’s lives.


It’s almost over: Even if you are completely anxious about the reunion, it will be over before you know it. These reunion events last anywhere from a few hours to a few days depending on the size of the event and whom organized it, so take a breath. 


While you might be a little worried about seeing everyone, remember once it is done, some of these folks you won’t see again until the next reunion. 


Remember, while you might be nervous, it can also be exciting seeing everyone again for the high school reunion. Just follow the above tips, and don’t be afraid to see those old friends and foes again. Simply be the best version of you and most importantly have fun.

41 comments:

  1. I may be the odd ball but I have no desire to go to reunions. I have one this year but I just am not interested. I think these are great tips if you are planning to go to one though!

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  2. Great tips! I don't have another one for four years, but I will keep this post in mind.

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  3. I haven't been to a class reunion since my 10th. In 5 years, I'll be celebrating my 50th! I may actually go to that one ;)

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  4. I just went to my reunion about a month ago. I felt bad for my husband, who didn;t know anyone there. I should have left him home.

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  5. Yes. Be honest, be yourself. You don't have to impress anyone there.

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  6. I have never been to any reunions. Mostly because they cost too much! Although I wold like to show off my handsome husband!

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  7. My 20 year reunion is in October. I still haven't decided if I will attend. I literally keep in touch with no one that I went to high school with

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    1. You should go anyway! I went to mine and reacquainted with a lot of people! It was my 10 year, which was a little nerve wracking, but I loved it. I found out I'm not the only one who is still unsure of what they want to be when they 'grow up.'

      At worse you can use it for Networking.

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  8. These are great tips. High school reunions can be quite awkward. You know you leave high school, but when you get to the reunion, it's like you're right back in it again.

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  9. You know I have not gone to any of my high school reunions. We just had my 20 and I wanted to go but it was 1000s of miles away. Thankfully, Facebook allowed most of us to gather together over the years.

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  10. I haven't been to any, but since I've reached that 60 year milestone, I may go to the next one.

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  11. My 10 year reunion is this month and I have no desire to go. With Facebook and social media, I'm able to keep in touch with those people that i want to.

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  12. Oh my gosh I only went to one of my school reunion. That was enough for me the popular people still acted like jerks and it was just like we were still in high school LOL

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  13. These are great tips. I went to my 10-year, and my 20-year is in another two years. I still keep in touch with many classmates, which is helpful.

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    1. Yes! There are a few that I still keep in touch with, which is actually how I found out about mine which was just recently. I loved seeing those who came. Getting reacquainted was fun!

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  14. I love the bit about being flirty versus friendly, that is the worst as the significant other. Did you ever see the Family Guy episode where he pretends to be a millionaire, cowboy astronaut to impress his class. LOL.

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  15. This is one of those things I will just never do. I have no desire to ever see anyone from my high school class ever again. Does that sound harsh? I didn't have a horrible HS experience or anything, but I just have zero interest in the past, I guess. All of my siblings go though!

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  16. Wonderful tips. I haven't been to any of mine, mostly because of the distance. But I'd love to go to my 20th.

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  17. I have never attended my high school reunions. I never really liked anyone, so why go? LOL. Great tips though!

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  18. My 20th is this year and I have no desire to go. These are great tips in case my husband convinces me to go.

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  19. We went to my husband's five year reunion, but I have never gone to my school reunion. My daughter's five year reunion is coming up so I will pass these tips on to her.

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  20. I actually was the co-host of my 20 year reunion a few years back. I was a little nervous about, but most people were lovely and a few I was worried about seeing had mellowed out and matured!

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  21. These are great tips. These can be very useful tips even when bumping into someone at the store.

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  22. I missed my 10 year reunion. I would love to attend my next one though. I enjoyed high school and would love to see what has become of all of the people I have not stayed in touch with. These are wonderful tips.

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  23. I've never been to any of my high school reunions. I would love to go to the next one though.

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  24. Totally agree with the gossip behind someone's back! Can be so nerve wracking to show up!

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  25. I went to my 10 year and the 15 year one didn't happen. I think with Facebook its really not necessary anymore LOL

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  26. I haven't been to any of my high school reunions and I'm not sure if I would even go! I really don't keep in touch with many of the people I knew in high school.

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  27. I thought we were going to have a reunion this year, but I never received anything about it. I don't really keep in touch with anybody from high school.

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  28. I refused to go to mine. Most of them are on my Facebook, so I was already up to speed as to what they were all doing now. I do like the tip about not leaving your SO out of the conversations. I can imagine how boring that would be for a +1 in that situation.

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  29. My husband and I skip ours. My in-laws still go though... and they're in their 70s!

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    1. Some people just love to see their old classmates. Often it's one way they can keep in touch more personally I think. (The non facebook generations)

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  30. We didn't have a formal ten year reunion... it was at a restaurant and not many people went. It was very confusing!

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    1. Mine was much like that as well. We ended up having a potluck BBQ at the park, but it was really fun.

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  31. Really great idea to try to act like it's the first time you've met everyone. People can change so much, especially when you're talking about teenage-hood and adulthood.

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  32. My 10 year reunion was at some point this year, but I have/had NO desire to go LOL I have no problem being myself and not caring what anyone things! I was homeschooled starting in 4th grade and did a Satellite school after that. So either I go to a reunion where I didn't really graduate with them or do a "internet" one LOL

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  33. Good tips. It is fun to get out and mingle!

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  34. I haven't had a 10 year reunion yet. We had a 5 year reunion and it was super awkward and pretty lame. Nothing really had changed and anything I cared to know I'd already seem on FB. Lol.

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  35. I've kept up with most everyone I want to through Facebook so I think if I ever went to a reunion there wouldn't be any big shockers out there. Great tips!

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  36. Ironically this year is my high school 10 year reunion. I have the FB generation classmate and a lot of them are not even enthusiastic about the one we are planning or many aren't even trying to go because hey can just see each others lives via Facebook its pretty sad...so we may or may not have a reunion.

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    1. A lot of mine were like that to. It winded up only being about 10 of us but it was really fun. We had a potluck barbeque.

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