Whether it’s your first year going away to college, or your last year going away to college without your boyfriend/girlfriend. Many people believe that long distance relationships are never going to work out. Nobody says it is going to be easy, things could get difficult, and you could get sad and lonely at times. However, the distance also makes the “little” things the sweetest and most romantic. Being able to hold the other person’s hand, eating takeout together in bed, kisses on the forehead, and binge watching TV shows together. The littlest things that you do together, suddenly mean so much more in a long distance relationship.
Long distance relationship may be tough, but there are ways to keep your love alive and strong. Here are some helpful tips to make your long distance relationship work:
COMMUNICATION:
It’s the most cliché answer, but it’s true, communication is key to a successful relationship, long distance or not. Set aside time from your classes or college activities to FaceTime or have a phone call to catch up and talk about each other’s days. You don’t have to text each other all day long, it would be impossible with college and the busy schedules, but setting aside time to talk to your boyfriend/girlfriend is imperative.
If you get discouraged and feel lonely, DO NOT sit around and constantly stare at your phone waiting for your boyfriend/girlfriend to call or text you. You need to do something productive or hang out with your roommates to get your mind off of your loneliness. While you have your own life together, you also have your own life apart from each other and you need to focus on yourself sometimes.
TRUST:
Another, cliché, but you HAVE to trust the other person in the relationship. A successful relationship will not last without trust. Scrutinizing everything and constantly questioning or doubting them only makes things worse.
Honesty also goes along with trust, and it is important to talk about your feelings of fear, insecurity, or jealousy. Be open and honest with each other. Let your partner help you and give you the support you need.
EXPECTATIONS:
It’s okay to set aside some “rules” with your boyfriend/girlfriend. If you or your boyfriend/girlfriend goes out for drinks with their friends or goes out and parties, make sure that you let your boyfriend/girlfriend know your plans and what you plan to do. If you don’t let them know your plans you can over react and get worried about things that you shouldn’t be thinking. Even with your class schedules, share your schedule so you know the appropriate times to call or text them.
VISIT:
Whether you live 2000 miles away or 200 miles away, setting time aside to plan a trip or a weekend together is important. It allows you both to get excited and will make the time apart go quicker. Visits are the highlight of every long distance relationship.
POSITIVITY:
Positive energy is going to keep the long distance relationship alive. A lot of times waiting to see the other person can be difficult, and you feel lonely a lot of the time, but remind yourself that seeing your boyfriend/girlfriend will be all worth it in the end.
One tip to staying positive is to be grateful. Be thankful that you have someone to love and someone who also loves you back, and be grateful for all of the little things that make your relationship so special.
Being apart from one another makes you put so much more effort into being together. The distance makes you want to be with that person so much more than you already do. It makes you appreciate the love that you already have, as well as the love that you are building together. Long distance may be difficult, but it is worth it. Love is worth it.
