Movies and TV shows demonstrate either of the two extremes: long distance happily ever after or long distance happily never after. To be completely honest, going into my freshman year of college, I had no idea what to expect. It's weird when someone you've gotten used to seeing every day suddenly moves 1,000 miles away from you. The distance can really put a relationship to the test. Well, I’d like to think we’ve passed our test because a whole school year later, I can tell you that long-distance is very much doable and very much worth it, especially with these tips.

1. Trust, trust, trust, and I’m going to say it again for the people in the back: trust.

This is an extremely vital aspect of a relationship, whether you live 20 minutes away or 20 hours away. Your partner is going to have people flirting with them, they are going to make a variety of new friends, they are going to have a whole separate life that you aren’t a part of, but that’s okay. Don’t let that green monster overcome you. There is no relationship without trust, and once trust is broken, it cannot be repaired. Trust them enough to walk away from the flirting, trust them to keep platonic relationships with others, trust them that, even with their separate life, there is still a huge part of their life that involves you.

2. Let your partner do their thing.

Can you believe that the only forms of communication at one point were landline phones and sending letters through the mail? Welcome to the twenty-first century! We have Facetime, text messages, Skype, social media, you name it. You can start a conversation at any point at the tip of your fingers. Although this is all super convenient, too much communication can be a bad thing. Let your partner do their thing and you do yours. They might be hanging out with their friends or getting involved with extracurriculars. You don’t want them to be buried in their phone while they’re trying to establish themselves. Most importantly, don’t forget to put your phone down and live for you.

3. Don’t forget to be patient.

It could be days you go without Facetiming, only sending short little texts every here and there. It could be months you go without seeing them. I don’t think I’ve even mastered the art of patience yet, but the reality is sometimes you have no control over when you see each other next. Either flights are too expensive or breaks don’t match up. Whatever the case may be, you just have to learn to go with the flow.

4. If you’re going to have an argument, avoid doing it over text.

Words are misconstrued, tones are taken the wrong way, and before you know it, something so minuscule blows up into a bigger ordeal. Take the distance to your advantage, walk away from your phone, take a walk, breathe. Talk the issue out via phone call or Facetime.

5. Remember why you’re doing this.

Obviously, you decided to do long distance for a reason. I’m going to tell you what everybody told me: if you can get through four years apart, your relationship can get through just about anything. And hey, sometimes distance isn’t for every couple and that’s okay. Don’t let this distract you from your school work or your social life. Everything works out in the end whether long-distance is for you or not. Everyone will get their happily ever after.