Going back to school when you're away from home is hard enough on its own, but adding a relationship into the mix with a boyfriend that is back home is even harder.

This is the first time I am getting myself involved in a long-distance relationship and the challenges that arise are tougher than I thought. Yet, at the end of the day, putting in that extra effort for the person you love is all worth it in the end.

The biggest challenge I have stumbled upon is not being able to see your partner in person every waking moment. Although my boyfriend and I have only been together for about four months now, we would spend every second together that we could. There wasn't a day that would go by that we wouldn't see each other and now, we have to adjust to maybe visiting twice a month if we're lucky.

Trust is huge in a relationship just in general, but I feel it's even bigger when you're in a long-distance relationship. Although it is only the beginning of the semester, I feel myself constantly worrying about what is happening back home. I do trust him, but I guess it is natural to feel uncertain about what may be happening when you're not around especially when you are so used to always being around one another.

Many people keep telling me that I am holding myself back with a relationship that is back home, but I disagree completely. My first year away at this school, I was completely crazed with boys and the new experiences that every college student should experience. Now being a senior, it's just not the same. I don't want to throw away something amazing just because it may be hard, I will continue to follow my heart and what feels right.

There is also this misconception that people in a long-distance relationship will cheat on their partner. While this, unfortunately, may be the truth for some, I know for myself that I would never even have the desire to do that. College is complex enough, why complicate things with the person you love? My advice for anyone jumping into a long-distance relationship but have the desire to see other people is to talk to their partner about how they are feeling. Which brings me to my final point of communication.

COMMUNICATION IS EVERYTHING.

Don't ignore something that is on your mind and that may be bothering you, speak up. Say something. Don't brush it off like it's nothing. I will tell you, if you don't say what the problem is, the other person isn't going to read your mind and try to fix it. You have to speak up or else the relationship will fall through and not end well.

Yes I am away at college with a boyfriend back home. No, I'm not missing out on any experiences. It may be harder to deal with, not being around each other as often, but I believe it's worth all the effort.