In the last few weeks of summer vacation everyone is getting ready to go back to school and if you're in college, you might be getting ready to move in. You're buying your text books, searching high and low for a suitable bedspread, and trying to figure out how you're going to make it without your significant other. The last part sounds really cheesy, but it is a real worry that many couples have whether their significant other is moving away, they both are moving away, etc. It could be that your significant other is going to college in another state or a few hours away, but it doesn't matter because distance is distance. Does "distance make the heart grow fonder?" or does is "wander" you wonder? Keeping a relationship while away at school can be difficult and something that I have personally experienced. Here is my advice for any couples who are going to different colleges or schools in general.
1. "Communication is Key."
It may be cliche, but communication does play a pertinent role is any relationship and especially a relationship where one or both partners are away at school. It can be calling your significant other on their first day and asking them how it was or sending them a text telling them you hope their day is going well. Because there is slight chance your schedules will be similar, talking and texting can be difficult. Just remain patient and positive. Tell your boyfriend or girlfriend when you need to sit down and study or when you need some "you" time (sounds crazy, but after a long day you just might want to sit down and nap for a bit). Communication is a two-way street, though. It requires both people to listen to each other, not just hear what the other person said.
2. Be honest with each other and trust one another.
With communication comes honesty and trust. College is a new environment and you're surrounded by tons of new people. Be open and honest with your boyfriend or girlfriend about your college experience. Be honest with how you are feeling and don't just bypass those questions like "How is your day going?" or "How are you?" Tell them if something is wrong and how you are feeling, whether you're having a great day or a really crappy one. Don't lie or even fib about those things, it will only make things more complicated later on. When you are honest with each other, your trust is strengthened in one another. Trust is earned through that honesty and being able to trust your significant other while he or she is away at school is important.
3. Be Supportive of your significant other.
With the number of different sports, clubs, and activities there are on any college campus, you and your significant other are bound to find some extra curricular activity. Maybe one of you is taking on a heavier course load or have to observe or do rotations for you major. Whatever it is, be supportive of your boyfriend or girlfriend. By the end of the day, you've spilled coffee on tour shirt for you presentation, changed and done two loads of laundry, gave a killer presentation, and managed to get through your night class without falling asleep and you really just want to relax and fall asleep. What you may not know yet is that your boyfriend or girlfriend just nailed their audition for the fall semester play and is so excited/nervous because they have to wait a few days until they know if they go the part or not. They will call and want to talk your ear off--let them. Be supportive and encourage them. Push them to do their best and support them when they need it, whether it's with a text saying "You can do this! Knock 'em dead!!" or something more heartfelt, be there for them. Be there for the happy moments and the sad. Be there when they find out they got an A on their religious studies paper and when their roommate is crazy and has locked them out at 10 o' clock at night.
4. Make the most of the time you have when you are together.
It's Friday morning and you just get an email that your afternoon class has been cancelled, which is great because now you can call your mom and she can pick you up for an semi-earlier weekend. You get picked up and cannot wait to see your boyfriend or girlfriend. It feels like it has been forever since you've seen each other and you just want to hag out. Make the most of that time. Whether you are the one coming home or the one your significant other is coming home to, make the most of that time. Don't waste a night you could spend together watching movies and having a good time with a silly fight because one of you forgot to finish your Odyssey article and spent a half hour quickly finishing it up. Those weekends you get to spend with each other become sparse when finals roll around, so make the most of them and enjoy each other. Have fun and don't let the petty little things worry you.
These are just small bits of advice that I have for any couples reading this. These little tips are ones that I found to be helpful to me during the school year with my boyfriend. There are many things to be considered when you are in a relationship with any amount of distance a part and I hope that these little bits are helpful to whoever is reading this article.
