Keeping in Touch with Old Friends

After graduation, be it from high school or college, you begin the next journey in your life. For some, this journey may be a continuation of school; for others, it may mean diving into the workforce, etc. Wherever your journey takes you after graduation, it is very likely that you will lose touch with many of the friends you have made along the way. If you want to keep in touch with those friends, keep the following in mind.

Send e-mails. This is the easiest way to stay in touch, especially if you live far away from your old friends. Try to e-mail your friends at least once a month to let them know what has been going on in your life. If you have a group of friends, you can send an e-mail to all of them at once, but it's probably better for the friendship if you personalize an e-mail for each friend (you are more likely to get a response if the e-mail is personalized). Attach pictures to give your friends a visual of important events in your life.

Pick up the phone. Your friends are only a phone call away. If you see something that reminds you of a certain friend, if you have big news that you want to share, or if you're just thinking about one of your friends, pick up the phone and call him. It's always nice to hear the voice of a friend on the other end of the line.

Don't forget birthdays. Sending birthday cards to your old friends is a good way to keep in touch, and it lets them know that you are thinking of them. While sending an e-card is sufficient, sending a card through snail mail seems a little more heart-felt.

Plan annual reunions. Having annual get-togethers will allow you and your friends to catch up and spend quality time together. If you live relatively close to your old friends, you may be able to have get-togethers more often than just once a year. The little reunions can range from a weekend trip to a casual lunch. If you have a group of friends, rotate who will be in charge of planning the get-together each year, so it's not left up to just one person.

Consider social networking websites. There are many websites that help you stay in touch with friends, e.g. Orkut, MySpace, Facebook, etc. More and more people are creating accounts on these websites every day, so even if you have already lost touch with some of your friends, you may be able to get in contact with them again through these sites. Just keep in mind that by putting your information on the Internet, you are making it easily accessible. Don't post pictures or words on your profile that you wouldn't want a potential employer to see. Furthermore, if you interact with people you do not know, be cautious about the amount of information you reveal or agreeing to meet them in person. To stay safe, avoid posting your full name, address, phone number, or schedule.

It takes effort to keep friendships strong, especially when you don't see your friends every day like you did in school. If you have friends that mean a lot to you, make sure you put forth the effort to stay in touch. You'll probably regret it a few years down the road if you don't.