When high school ends, a lot of things change. You make new friends, live in a new environment, and basically start your life over. But what about your high school sweetheart? That one special person you went to prom with, the one who came over after school and helped you study for that big math exam? That person who was your date to the big football game, who you couldn’t spend more than a day away from? What about them?

My advice: Never give up on love, no matter how far away that person may travel. Take it from me, a guy whose girlfriend traveled over 1,300 miles to the University of Minnesota to start her new beginning. We knew the day would eventually come, but it came in the blink of an eye.

At first, it may seem like the end of the world. Who would you come home to and cuddle with after a long day? Who would you call to come accompany you to those late night McDonald's runs? It may seem like you’re missing your better half.

Distance makes the heart grow fonder

Even though it sounds cliché, it’s certainly true. It stinks having to say "goodbye," but saying "hello "seems like heaven. Being away from my girlfriend made me realize how much I actually missed her and how much I took for granted. I started to appreciate every moment I had with her and it made all the little fights and scuffles we had seem miniscule.

Skype/FaceTime is your best friend

Not being able to hold or hang out with your significant other is hard, but being able to see their face makes it that much better. Whenever you have a free moment, try and give your partner a call. It’s a reminder to them that you'll always be there, no matter how far away you are.

The party scene is still fun

Everyone’s first thought about college is to go nuts and get your “body count” as high as you can. But in the words of Kanye, “one good girl is worth a thousand b*tches.” Partying is fun and can be done without a one-night stand. Have fun with your friends and go crazy, but just never forget about that one special person. In most cases, you’ll have at least one friend who’s in the same boat as you, so stick with them and have a good time.

Trust is key

Don’t be that person who goes out and doesn’t check in until morning. Even if something happens like a dead phone or getting too “crazy,” just remember to somehow get a hold of your partner. Think about if the tables would be turned. Would you be upset? Don’t act shady and do anything to break that sacred bond because trust is one of the hardest things to rebuild.

There’s always more fish in the sea

If things don’t work out, don’t stress out. You may think that your high school sweetheart is your life partner and now you can't go on, but sometimes the reality is things don’t work. College is the time for you to be selfish, so if you’re not happy, then do as you please. Just don’t drop the love of your life just because you think you’re not going to enjoy your four years.

Your significant other will be the person who you can turn to whenever you have an issue. Don’t drop them just because you want to have fun and enjoy your time. Take it from me; parties will still be fun and you’ll enjoy your time even without all the hook-ups. Even though the distance may be hard, it makes your love that much stronger and shows how true your bond really is.