Transitioning from high school to college takes some form of a toll on everyone- wither its missing family, friends, or just having a hard time adapting to a new lifestyle. However, transitioning from high school to college and being a relationship, complicates things some more. From my personal experience (and the help of others), here are the top 5 things to know about a long distance relationship in college.

1. Make sure you're both on the same page.

No matter how long you have been in a relationship, you still need to talk to your significant other and make sure both of you are on the same page about how this is going to work. No not , but a more personal conversation. Where do you see yourself personally in four years, then how do your lives fit together? An “adult” conversation needs to happen because this next step impacts you for the rest of your life, wither you stay in a relationship or not.

2. Communication will either make you or break you.

Communication is key. After spending just about 24/7 with your significant other, going to not seeing them in months is killer. I’m not saying test each other all day and Facetime all night. But make the time that have you have between classes and activities worth it. College is a balancing act between school, activities, friends, and your relationship. At first it is going to be hard and you both are going to feel like the other isn’t paying enough attention to the relationship. Don’t beat around the bush, Don’t play games. Be honest and tell each other everything and when anything is bothering you. It makes life so much easier when both of you are open and honest.

3. Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust.

Okay sounds funny but I believe it’s what you need. You need to have faith that your significant other won’t cheat. In college, you meet new people all the time. New classes, new floor mates, honestly I’ve seen people become best friends over they choice of food in the dining hall. Trust is such an important part to keep yourself focused on your relationship. If you let doubt creep into your mind, it will only cause problems that were not even there to begin with. So, keep faith in your relationship, trust as much as you can, and throw a little pixie dust when you need to remind yourself of these traits.

4. People can change: be adaptable.

College is a time to try new things and join organizations that would have not been available to you in high school. Having so many new options can change a person’s personality and interests. Don’t be afraid if people start changing. This goes back to being on the same page, if a problem like this happens- where you both don’t see eye to eye anymore and issues come up- you have to know how to deal with it. Are you going to work it out? Are you going to break up? Personally, I had this challenge when I joined Greek Life. I was adding a time consuming obligation to my already busy schedule. However, we talked it through, and came out better on the other end. Change is inevitable, so you have to be ready to roll with the punched, or step out of the ring.

5. There are going to be fights.

Okay, unless you are in one of those perfect relationships where you never fight (I’ve never witnessed one but maybe you are out there), there will be fights. No one is perfect. Someone is going to get a little too jealous, someone is going to want more attention or time on Facetime, sometimes tension and fighting will happen just because you miss each other so much. Work through it. If it isn’t something you wont remember in a year, month, or even a week, it’s not worth it. Just take a deep breath, and remember a happy thought. There is going to be so many more negative days than positive days, so every once in a while you need to think about the past, or plan the upcoming future.