College is the land of early risers and late-night study sessions, cram sections and ramen noodles, and, most importantly, the sense of freedom. But how about your childhood lover, with whom you have promised to stay connected regardless of the distance that separates your various institutions?

Imagine they are studying marine biology in California while you are in New York, and you both have promised each other to connect and communicate effectively. The question is, how do you stay connected always?

In this article, we will discuss strategies for maintaining a long-distance relationship when you are separated by distance.

Why Should You Care?

At one point in your college life, you may have been carried away with school activities and probably forgot to reach out to your partner at the agreed-upon time. For one, a long-distance relationship isn’t only about looking forward to the next winter holidays; it teaches us to be better communicators, build trust, and, most importantly, be resilient.

So why should you care, you ask again?

Well, aside from the fact that it can be overwhelming to be in college at first, especially the first year when you barely know anyone, you need that special one that can help relieve all of the stress of the day through a phone call.

Strategies for Maintaining Long-Distance Relationships

• Openness is absolutely vital

One of the most important aspects of long-distance relations is the willingness to communicate without having to force anything. Communication might not be as strong and interesting as it might be when you are with each other, but it keeps the fire burning. Here are ways to ensure that you stay connected with communication.

Regular and Open Communication

A simple “Hey, good morning… have a great day today” can make the difference between your partner having a horrible day or a great one. Establish a regular call and text schedule that you both can follow. And don’t forget the impact of a late-night pillow talk over the day, reminiscing about the activities of the day.

Make Use of Technology

Make the most of technology. We are in the digital age, and these devices are your best friend when it comes to keeping your relationship together. There are so many messaging apps you can use to connect with your partner—make phone calls, share memes, voice notes, and selfies.

Sharing Experiences

One thing that most college students say helps them manage their relationships is sharing every bit of their college experiences with their long-distance partners. Wherever you visit or whatever you are doing that’s worth sharing, send a picture or video describing your mood, as it will help them keep tabs on what you have been up to.

• Setting Expectations

What do you expect of the relationship? What are your career goals or ambitions? Here is when you talk about your expectations from life and your partner.

Discussing Goals and Boundaries

What’s life going to be like after college? How do you take your relationship to the next level? Talk about your concerns, fears, and aspirations. Is the relationship going to be long-term, or is it one of those romantic comedy flings? Also, make sure you set boundaries about what time to call so they don’t call you during lectures.

Managing Time Apart

Time zones can be the trickiest of all when it comes to long-distance relationships. You need to agree on the perfect time to call so they don’t call while you’re in bed, and make sure you respect each other’s schedule. 

Handling Conflicts

Conflict is a relationship nemesis! You both have to learn to handle your misunderstanding efficiently. It’s completely fine not to agree on everything, but you need to find common ground when it comes to disagreements. Talk about how you feel personally rather than pointing fingers at your partner.

• Finding New Ways to Connect

Simple things can go a long way in helping you connect with your partner. In most cases, it doesn’t have to be a grand gesture, just something sweet that you believe will bring smiles to their faces. Here are ways to find new ways to connect:

Surprise Gestures

Who doesn’t love a good surprise? What better way to surprise them when you can’t visit them than to send them a care package? In these packages, you can include some nice things that they’ll love and cherish, like a handwritten note by you, a bundle of edibles that they like, or even a small pony if it can fit in a box because why not?

Online Activities

There are a plethora of things you can do online together—one of the most appreciated long-distance activities is watching a blockbuster Netflix movie together. Set the movie and play it at the same time on each end, grab a bowl of popcorn, and enjoy the movie together. In addition, you can suggest a virtual game night playing Scrabble or Monopoly online.

Celebrating Milestones

They said partners who celebrate together stick together. Enjoy every bit of success together. Anniversary, birthdays, whatever date you both cherish, do something together on that day. Send a video on that day appreciating them for every beautiful moment, or write a journal and send it to them.

• Keeping Faith and Helping One Another

Here, we will talk about ways to help each other and build trust with your long-distance partner.

Building Trust

Relationships these days need trust as much as they need love. People say love surpasses all things; that may be true, but love without trust will not stand the test of time. Honesty, reliability, and a showing of vulnerability will go a long way to building trust in the relationship.

Being Supportive

They say when life throws lemons at you, make lemonade. How about when you throw them at your partners, and they are too overwhelmed to help themselves? That’s where you come in. You become their cheerleader, give them the proper pep talk, and help them if you can. Always remind them that they can make that lemonade regardless of the situation.

Respecting Individuality

While you are getting acquainted with your new campus, so will your partner at their college. Ensure you give each other some breathing space to explore the new campus.

• Planning Visits and Future Goals

It’s winter break, and you can’t wait to get home to your family—that’s lovely, but while you are at it, why not spend some time with your partner also? Enjoy this time with them by sharing every moment, visiting the karaoke bar, and sharing hot coffee.