I'm a bad friend. Well, maybe not that bad, but I'm a bad communicator.

Ever since I was a child I have been terrible at keeping in touch with people when I'm away. In the past, that hasn’t been too much of a problem; I lived within a few miles of my friends. However now that I have friends living across the country, it has been a struggle to stay connected. Summer is a weird time of separation when you see some people, but not others. Friendships can degrade over time. So if you’re like me and you’ve been neglecting some of your friends, here is a list of my favorite ways to stay in touch.

1. I just counted. I have 10 different apps on my phone I can use to directly contact a friend, none as easy to use as Snapchat. There’s something as simple as taking a picture and sending it to a friend, knowing it will show up for a few seconds, remind them that you were thinking of them. Think about the feeling you get when you get a random Snapchat from a friend you haven’t seen in a while. It's great, right? You can do that for other people just as easily. A Snap without any words is even simpler, you don’t need to say anything; it's the thought that counts. 

2. I’ve recently discovered how great Skyping someone can be. It's sometimes hard to get it started, but once you do, it is always great. Skyping someone is just a step away from seeing someone in person. It's great to use when you can’t get out to California to see your bestie. In the past, I’ve spent up to four hours at one time on Skype and I’ve heard of people spending up to 12 online with their friends. After the first Skype session between you and a friend, the two of you will have a hard time not scheduling another. 

3. The final way I’ve used to stay in touch is something I was afraid to do in the past. The simple “thinking of you" text. While I still think those words are a little too much, I have a plethora of phrases that I’ve been using that mean the same thing. Something I love to send or receive is the random story. There have been countless times this summer where I’ve sent or gotten a random text that has turned into a full day conversation with a friend. These are great for staying in touch and for reconnecting. 

Summer for college students can seem like an eternity, and if you can’t make it to your friend’s hometown, it will seem even longer. By the time August comes around, you might have completely stopped contact with some of your friends and no one wants that. Hopefully, you are a better communicator than I am, but I have met people who are even worse, so maybe these tips can help.