Do Long-Distance Relationships Work?

Long-distance relationships are hard. There are many challenges couples can face when they have miles separating themselves from each other, but it has also never been easier to communicate with the ones you love with the help of technology including text messaging and video calling. Do long-distance relationships work? Can a relationship survive student culture? Read on to find out the best tips and advice on how to make a long-distance relationship work during college or university.

Communicate

The best way to keep any relationship healthy is to communicate but this is even more important for a long-distance relationship because you won’t see each other every day. Luckily, we are blessed to have the technology that we do because communicating with your partner, who may live hundreds or thousands of miles away, is now available at the press of a button. Video calling and texting are not the same as being in the same room as your significant other, but it does help during those periods when you can’t see each other in person. It’s also vital that you are honest with each other and communicate how you feel and discuss if something is bothering you.

Stay busy

Staying busy is the best way to deal with the strong feelings of missing your partner and it gives something for you to talk about. When you call and talk about your day, having something exciting to say is a good way to keep communicating effectively. You should prioritize your studies because your college or university experience will only happen once. Make new friends, try new things and work hard and you and your partner can encourage and motivate each other to succeed. Your relationship can still be one of your top priorities but make sure you are not sacrificing your education to give yourself a better future.

Have realistic expectations

Long-distance relationships are hard, so you need to have realistic expectations about how often you are going to see your partner, what obstacles you may face, and how much you are going to miss them. Thinking you are going to see each other every weekend is an unrealistic expectation because there are so many unknowns that could occur. But you should also plan and set dates ahead of time, so you have things to look forward to when you spend time together. Make reservations at restaurants, book a hotel, go to a concert or the theater, whatever it is that you enjoy doing together, it’s always easier

Set your boundaries

Even if you are oceans apart, you both must set your boundaries and expectations for the relationship. Are you completely exclusive or seeing other people? What is your commitment level, do you both see a future together after you have completed your time in education? If so, what does that look like? Communicating these things with one another is vital if you want your long-distance relationship to thrive instead of just survive. It’s also a good idea to set boundaries when you feel the other person is becoming too much, it’s okay to message if you miss them but find a balance in giving space and reassuring your partner that you are still there when they need you.

Be open, honest and, trusting

Honesty is crucial for any relationship. But even more so for long-distance relationships. There will be times when you might argue or disagree or feel the tension building up between you and the best thing you can do is talk. Be clear in expressing your emotions and feelings with your partner. Trust one another and don’t let jealousy or other people judge or have a say in your relationship. Trust is the foundation of a relationship, and it is how you are going to make your long-distance relationship work for as long as you need it to.

Focus on the little things

It’s hard to keep the romance going in a long-distance relationship but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do the same little things that bring your partner joy. Notice the good things about your relationship, send handwritten letters, or gifts or even send them videos to make them smile to know that you are thinking about them. Long-distance relationships are hard, but you should focus on the positive things and the reasons why you are together and love one another and it will all work out for the best.