Alas, the spring semester is winding down to its last strings. Here at Syracuse University, goose jackets are being abandoned, skin is finally seeing the light of day, and Mayfest is becoming the only highlight of the semester.

This only means one thing: our abroad flock is finally coming home.

Whether your best friend was out partying in Prague and finding the man of her dreams or your boyfriend was out drinking belligerently till 3 a.m. every weekday, their abroad journeys are coming to an end. They will soon be back to reality.

Reality meaning, Gucci Mane, snow showers in April, Chick-Fil-A, summer internships, and petty parents who've missed us way too much.

Nothing truly made me more jittery when I knew my person (too weird to say, boyfriend, so let's just say person for now) was out clubbing in Euro-buttfuck-nowhere while I was twiddling my thumbs playing PandaPop on my phone and watching another rerun of Friends.

As my person is soon hopping on his plane back home, he should be just as thrilled to head back to America as drugged Kirsten Wiig was on her freaking plane to Vegas in Bridesmaids. My person should be relaxed and ready to party. Relaxed and ready, as in, relaxed and ready to see my beautiful face once again.

How did I do it, you may ask? How did I survive the dreary, cold, bitter months in Syracuse while I knew my person was getting spoiled with Italian cappuccinos, cannolis as long as his freaking arm, Versace, the Ponte Vecchio, and gay locals who hit on him bar upon bar?

I took a deep breath, threw back a shot, waited for Syracuse's win against Duke (which never happened) and vicariously lived my life through my friends (who were pulling so many one night stands, that by the end I thought they were genuinely paying these frat boys).

The trick to long distance requires a couple of things - here's your quick guidebook.

1. Let go of the jealousy and stop avoiding them

Okay, we get it. You're jealous. You're stuck here, while he/she is traveling the world, getting drunk off of wine tours and giving zero fucks towards any class. As a result, all you want is to avoid he/she out of jealousy.

Avoiding the person you care about out of envy means you're being selfish AF. Whether you're frustrated your person isn't here or you're pissed because they're doing what you want to be doing, be happy and be there for them. Avoiding them will only make you look petty, and no one wants that.

2. Keep busy

While they're busy, you should be busy too. If you're distracted by their experience, make an experience of your own. Get involved in something you never thought you would. Start studying for a class that you never thought you had time for.

Live your life. Don't be overshadowed by your person's experience. You could be having just as much fun. It's truly what you make of it.

3. Make new friends

Now that your favorite person is gone, you only have a select few of people that you can actually stand. Take advantage of this and make new ones. Hang out with people you never thought you would have. Go out with a different group. To summarize, start fresh.

4. Take advantage of the time to yourself

Remember when you were trying to equal your time spent with ~your person~ and your friends? Now's your time to have a decent amount of time with your friends and make free time for yourself.

Go to the gym, read a freaking book, get fat (or don't), get your work done, or I don't know--just get your life together? Stop stressing about your abroad S.O., just be happy with yourself.

5. Facetime

This does not mean facetime him/her when they're out. This also does not mean facetime every day. Keep it often, but not always. Every once in a while, it's great to see his/her face to make sure everything is still in check.

6. Give each other space

Don't text 24/7. Don't think that you need to hear an update on their experience every hour. If you genuinely think you need an hourly update, you're going to be taking up all of their time abroad. Let them experience it and get a life of your own.

7. Stop complaining

Your friends have heard enough of your worries, your complaints and your constant need for affection. They understand you're upset. Don't lose sight of their happiness through your misery. No one wants a horny bitch. You'll lose your friends before ~your person~ even comes home.

8. Pay a visit

......if you're not dead broke.