How to Tackle Long Distance Relationships in College | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Relationships

3 Simple Steps For Tackling Long Distance Relationships In College

Long distance relationships are never easy, but they are extremely worthwhile in the long run.

576
3 Simple Steps For Tackling Long Distance Relationships In College
Karleigh Byrne

In This Article:

Here is a little backstory. My junior year of high school, I dated this guy. Being with him was an adventure and made time fly and. We dated for ten months, then went through a rough breakup. But, on the bright side, we found our way back to each other eight months later. We got back together with a little in the summer before we both went to college. When people say that college is a big transition, those people are not telling a fib, especially when you are about to take on one of the most fearful things that couples do: date long distance. However, my boyfriend and I made the distance feel like it is worth everything. We have recently finished our first year of college while dating 263 miles apart.

1. Trust

Trust should be valued. Without it, I believe that long distance will NEVER work. With that being said, it is important to know that you and your significant other will be making new friends throughout college. If you have a boyfriend, you should trust him with everything you've got if he is friends with other girls and vice versa if you have a girlfriend. This is a time where you really should not think that your significant is lying to you and that he/she is doing something that you do not approve of. If I am being perfectly honest with you, if the one you are dating wants to be with you, even with the distance, they really are not doing anything to jeopardize the relationship and bond you have together. Why would they be with you if they were?

2. Get creative

So, you are dating long distance. The only way you can communicate with the one you love most is through the phone. You can be SIMPLE and text and call each other during the time apart, or you can get CREATIVE. One thing that I did was send letters to my boyfriend. I know, call it old school love. But, that is what my relationship feels like, an old school love. Sending a letter to my boy was a way for me to communicate with him while using my vintage side.

You can still be creative if you are not the type to send letters! Care packages and other fun gifts to send to each other always send some love along. This is where the phrase, "it's the thought that counts" comes into the works. When making a care package, bring in that creativity. Think about what your significant other likes. For example, my boyfriend is a baseball player, so when I decide to send him a little something, I CREATE a theme of baseball by including sunflower seeds, energy drinks, baseball apparel, and other items that would make him feel like an all-star. On that note, if you're dating someone who does not have any hobbies, you can theme your care package by their favorite color, favorite team sports, or simply by their personality and how you know them.

Keep in mind that in college, it is hard to find the time to put together a care package or to sit down and find the time to write out a letter. It is college — money is harder to manage. Nonetheless, this does not cancel out the chance to be creative. One thing that my boyfriend and I loved to do on some nights was to have dinner together. Well, have dinner together on Facetime. At these moments, it felt as if we were right next to each other on a date. We also loved to start shows together. We would watch a new episode of a new show and talk about that episode after, over a phone call.

3. Try not to blow up each other's phones

I know that it is a hard process. I find it very hard when I would hang out with my friends who are dating and have their significant other with them during college. It made me struggle to not want to drive myself up to where my boyfriend was at for college. But, the most important concept to keep in mind is that long distance is temporary and that if you find your relationship to be worth it, then it is SIMPLY worth the distance and each and every mile. But, it is also crucial to remember that you are in college! This is your time to grow and have a GREAT experience. With that being said, it is good to let each other not be suffocated with endless incoming calls and texts. You both are individually growing, yet are growing together as well.

By limiting communication with my boyfriend, I have definitely learned a lot. Every time I saw him, it made for a better conversation. We both had so much to tell each other and being in person instead of over the phone made it 100 times better. The limit also made us miss each other like crazy, which only made seeing each other so exciting and the wait more worth it than it was before.

A long distance relationship can be hard, but it does not have to be. Long distance will either make or break you and your relationship, and the only way to control the process is to accept the distance and learn how to LIVE with it. It may sound cheesy and dumb, but one thing that kept me going throughout each day apart from my boy way knowing that he sees the same sun and the same stars. Through my eyes, long distance makes your relationship very wonderstruck. It takes all your fears that you have and make them into you becoming more daring.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

15 Times Michael Scott's Life Was Worse Than Your Life

Because have you ever had to endure grilling your foot on a George Foreman?

281
Michael Scott
NBC

Most of the time, the world's (self-proclaimed) greatest boss is just that, the greatest. I mean, come on, he's Michael Freakin' Scott after all! But every once in a while, his life hits a bit of a speed bump. (or he actually hits Meredith...) So if you personally are struggling through a hard time, you know what they say: misery loves company! Here are 15 times Michael Scott's life was worse than your life:

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

15161
Friends celebrating the New Years!
StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less
piano
Digital Trends

I am very serious about the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite things, and I love it all from gift-giving to baking to the decorations, but I especially love Christmas music. Here are 11 songs you should consider adding to your Christmas playlists.

Keep Reading...Show less
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

3072
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments