How to Find Classmates

The internet is making it easy to find classmates that you may have lost touch with. People want to find classmates for all sorts of reasons. Some people want to reconnect with a high school sweetheart, others are searching for old friends, and others want to find classmates in an effort to network professionally. Read on for ways to locate former classmates.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 
    

   The easiest and fastest way to find classmates is to search social networking sites like facebook and myspace. These sites aren't just for teenagers. They're helping old friends reconnect after years of losing touch. Also, try searching for their siblings, sometimes you can get hits that way!

2. Sometimes you can find classmates by simply typing their name into an internet search engine. You may have to do a little digging to confirm it's the person you're looking for, but search engines are a great way to find people. Even if you can't locate classmates you may get clues as to where they work or live that can help you locate them through other means.

3. Sign up to receive school publications from your alma maters. This way if old classmates send in baby, marriage or other updates you'll have an easier time tracking them down. If you spot a friend you're trying to find contact the publisher and see if they can provide you with contact information. If they can't, ask if they'd be willing to pass your contact information along to your former classmate.

4. 
    

   Find classmates through other classmates. Six degrees of separation is true in many cases. If you've kept in touch with one high school friend see who they've been in contact with and go from there. You never know, someone may have a way to contact the classmate you're looking for.

5. It's easy to find old classmates by attending events at your former school. Go to homecoming, attend class reunions and show up at your former high school's sporting events. These are all great places to find classmates who you may have lost touch with.

6. If you know where your former high school classmate went to college try searching the university's alumni directory. Again, even if you can't directly contact your friend you may get an idea where they're living now or what field they work in, which could help you track them down.

7. If all else fails in your search to find classmates be sure to make yourself known. Join social networking sites, your alumni association and industry appropriate networks where people can search for you.

Tips & Warnings

• Just because you don't find your former classmate the first time, be sure to check back at social networking sites often. New people join these sites all the time.