A Long-Distance College Romance: Struggling and Succeeding Together

Beginning a relationship in college can seem like a daunting task even without the added strain of a long-distance separation but it is possible. There are many relationships that have started while one person is off at college and has managed to last through graduation and beyond. Navigating such a path can be tricky and the first year of college long-distance relationships hold their own unique set of issues, but with focus and dedication, couples can find success and prosperity.

As with any emotional endeavor, communication is key trait when trying to survive a college long-distance relationship; it’s important that both partners talk openly and honestly about how they are feeling and what they are thinking. Dedicating time to connect on a regular basis is also important and there is no longer any excuse for not being able to find the time since modern technology has made it possible to audio chat, email, text and myriad other options available to bridge the gap. Doing fun activities together can help a couple feel connected and increase problem solving skills.

The temptation of the single life for one partner can be difficult to navigate as well but is manageable with shared guidelines, trust and understanding in the relationship. What weekend activities are permissible, how long can you spend talking to other people of the opposite sex, should parties be mutually attended, if one partner does not attend what about parties for friends in general – all these questions must be addressed and come to an agreement in order for a long-distance relationship to succeed.

Further, it can be hard to share major life decisions with someone so far away and more often than not, those decisions are made by one partner in solitude. This can feel hard to stomach and can breed resentment in the relationship if the partner not making the decisions feels like they are being excluded. Agreeing upon a meeting time once a week to have conversations can help mitigate these problems and allow both parties to process information together, rather than having one-sided decisions.

Jealousy can also be an issue when not able to witness the social interactions of a partner and seeing photos on platforms like Instagram or Facebook does not help in alleviating feelings of insecurity or mistrust. This can be compounded if the partner is still attending home university and going to the same events as past flames or exes and could lead to big issues if not dealt with properly. Putting a reminder in one’s calendar to communicate their trust in their current partner can help alleviate these issues and build trust in the relationship.

Finally, missing an important event like a birthday or anniversary can damage any relationship but is much more of an issue when unable to physically be present with your partner. Figuring out creative ways to compensate for the meltdowns that ensue after missing something significant is essential for keeping resentment and feelings of being let down or taken for granted from snowballing and damaging the relationship. Making it a priority to attend important events and memorizing dates can go a long way towards maintaining a long-distance relationship during college.

Survival of a college long-distance relationship requires dedication from both partners, clear communication, trust and understanding. It can be done, but takes work and openness to make sure the relationship is lasting in the long run and is not just a fling for the virtual world. If some distance is necessary during college, then embracing the challenges and celebrating the successes of a long-distance relationship is all that can be asked.