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6 Ways to Make Long Distance Relationships Work
Sabrina Collier
Updated Feb 16, 2016Save
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If you’re setting off to study abroad in the near future, you’re probably feeling very excited. But if you’re leaving behind a ‘bae’ (or ‘significant other’ for the old-fashioned amongst us), then it might be a bit daunting, as we all know long distance relationships are renowned for being tough. But there’s no reason why they can’t work, and with Valentine’s Day coming up, we thought we’d give you some tips on how to keep the romance as strong as ever – even if you’re apart for months on end!
1. Skype often
Technology has come a long way these days, and if you’re both able to, it’s definitely good to catch up with each other via video calls on Skype, so you can look into each other’s eyes as well as talk. Update each other on what you’ve been up to, and listen as your partner shares any gossip from back home.
2. Trust each other
This is pretty essential whether you’re in a long distance relationship or not, but if you’re apart for months on end, trust is even more important. Be honest with each other and don’t hide anything. Both of you are highly unlikely to run off with someone new if the commitment is there in your relationship. Try to avoid miscommunicating with each other and be careful not to become jealous because of something (probably innocent) that you saw on social media.
3. Keep up the spontaneous romantic gestures
It might not be possible for you to physically be there to cook your partner a romantic meal, but you can still do little things to show how much they mean to you and that you’re thinking of them (even a good old letter is a nice gesture). You could also keep a memento of your loved one; anything from perfume to a piece of jewelry.
4. Use apps to stay connected
Going back to the wonders of technology, the free app Couple is great for long distance love. It lets you send a ‘kiss’ by pressing your thumb down on the screen. Your phones will vibrate when you match up (yes it’s cheesy, but also quite sweet!). You can also message each other, draw pictures together, and send photos and videos. You could supplement this with other apps like FaceTime and Facebook Messenger to share funny moments and any big news in your life as it happens.
5. Arrange to meet up if you can
Depending on how far you set off on your study abroad travels, it may or may not be financially possible to visit each other at some point (possibly during a semester break), either with you going back home (and seeing everyone else you miss!) or your partner traveling to see you.
6. Don’t miss out on the study abroad experience
This one’s very important. Yes, you’ll miss your boyfriend/girlfriend a lot and you should definitely keep in touch, but this absolutely doesn’t mean you should miss out on having a brilliant time while you study abroad. You should live life to the full and be happy without moping too much about how much you miss that special person. That way, you’ll have more interesting stories to look forward to telling them the next time you speak. Try not to talk too much about your study abroad experiences though – your beau might start to feel left out. And don’t worry too much – you may find your relationship becomes even stronger from surviving long-distance!
The former Assistant Editor of TopUniversities.com, Sabrina wrote and edited articles to guide students from around the world on a wide range of topics. She has a bachelor's degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from Aberystwyth University and grew up in Staffordshire, UK.