It's no secret that long-distance relationships of any kind are hard, and even harder if you're in college. However, it has been said time and time again that nothing worth having is ever easy. After being in a long distance relationship, I learned that there is a lot of truth to this cliche.

I learned a lot, actually. I have learned that:

1. If it's real, the miles don't matter.

This lesson, by far is the one I hold my true to my heart and the one that has really helped me through all of this. If the love you have for each other is real, then the number of miles don't matter, it's just a number. Sure, this doesn't mean it's easy but rather it means that it's not as hard when you know you have that special someone who loves you very much waiting for you, no matter how far away they are.

2. It's not easy, but it's worth it.

It's not easy, but the best things in life never are. The difficulties that come to the surface suddenly go away when you do get to see your special person and seeing them becomes even more special because of all the time you spend away from each other. The distance makes you appreciate each other so much and realize how lucky you are to have them in your life.

3. Good things take good effort.

By this what I mean is that good things, such as a good relationship doesn't just come along. Rather, you have to work at it, you and your partner, for it to truly be "good". It takes effort for a good relationship under normal circumstances, and even more when there is distance involved. Just like anything else that might be important to you, you have to work at it because good things are not just given away. However, just because it may be hard at times doesn't mean its not worth it, actually it is quite the opposite.

4. Communication is SO SO SO SO SO important.

I cannot stress this enough that it is so important to communicate with your partner. In a relationship under normal circumstances, communication is already a foundation for a good relationship and this becomes even more important when you are far away. If you are feeling sad or upset because you are far away from your significant other, then talk to them and tell them how you feel. If your trust issues are making you paranoid, talk to them because chances are they are probably having the same worries and concerns.

5. A good relationship needs trust.

No matter what, trust is a solid foundation for any kind of relationship and if you don't have trust in your partner there really isn't any point and if you are going to be far away from each other for long periods of time you need to have trust in each other in order for your relationship to survive.

6. Not everyone will understand.

Not everyone will understand, whether it be your roommate, friends, or colleagues. In fact, most people will probably think you are insane for trying to keep a relationship when you are constantly away from each other. But, the way I like to think of it is that if your love is real and strong enough it can make it through anything and distance is the ultimate test and when you "make it," you can prove everyone wrong.

7. You learn to appreciate the little things.

You learn to appreciate the little things and along the way you realize the little things are really the big things. Just to clarify by little things, I mean the cute texts your significant other may send you mid day or after they know you're asleep so you'll wake up to it or the surprise gifts they send you or the once in a while phone call just to tell you they missed you. Those are the things that keep any long distance relationship strong and alive.

8. Remember why you love them.

Sometimes, these things do get hard and difficult. Maybe both of you have been extremely busy lately and haven't really had time to talk even just to ask them about their day. It happens. But, every now and then take a moment to think about how wonderful of a person they and exactly why you love them and how much you love them because it will give you the strength to keep your love alive. Remember why you've held on for so long, whether it's how they look at you or how they smell or how happy they make you or how you talk about a future together. Whatever the case is, use it to help you when you are having a rough time or when you miss them so bad it hurts. From my personal experience, this is the best advice I can give anyone going through the same circumstance because it is a way to see the light at the end of the tunnel even when you start to believe there is no light. There is ALWAYS a light.

The thing I hate the most is being so far away and not being able to see my boyfriend, but I would never trade it for the world. When you find something as rare as love don't let that go and don't let something so temporary as distance ruin it for you.