Long Distance Relationships in College: Do They Work?
By Athena Matthews
May 23, 2022
Image Credit: Kevin Escate for Unsplash
Between classes, extra-curricular activities, late-night studying and socializing, maintaining a long-distance relationship in college may seem impossible.
A long-distance relationship requires a lot of time and effort, but with good communication and time-management skills, some couples are able to keep their relationship strong.
Abbey Zheng, a public health science major, has been in a long-distance relationship with her boyfriend for nearly two years. Zheng says that she and her partner make time for one another by texting, calling, and visiting one another frequently.
“We make the effort to see each other around every two weeks and we’ll switch off driving to each other,” said Zheng. “We’re always texting each other, updating each other about our days, and we’ll call or facetime whenever we’re just doing little things in our apartments.”
She believes that being in a long-distance relationship has helped her balance her studies and her social life. Zheng says she prioritizes school and her extracurricular activities, but she still makes time for her partner. “I wouldn’t say it’s difficult to keep in touch at all, but long distance relationships definitely take time and commitment.”
Grace Gillis, a psychology major, began dating her boyfriend in high school before having to go long distance. Adapting to college and creating a new schedule was unusual for them, but Gillis says that they “keep in contact all the time and talk on the phone at least three times a week.” The couple makes an effort to see each other at least once a month, but she admits that their busy schedules can sometimes make communication difficult.
Tara Musialowicz, a general biology major, broke up with her high school boyfriend before attending college in the fall of 2019. However, Musialowicz believes that the pandemic brought them back together and made them realize how much they missed one another. “We had nothing better to do than hang out with each other, and during the pandemic we could only really hang out with the same group of people.”
Musialowicz and her boyfriend have now been in a long-distance relationship for two years. They make time for each other by texting minimally throughout the day, calling roughly three times a week, and visiting once a month.
It is not difficult to maintain their relationship because “we matter a lot to each other,” she said. “It is sometimes challenging because we do have a lot going on, but we always make sure to have clear communication and make an effort for one another.”
Long-distance relationships in college seem to be a success if couples stay positive, communicate with each other, and prioritize themselves individually as well.
A long-distance relationship requires a lot of time and effort, but with good communication and time-management skills, some couples are able to keep their relationship strong.
Abbey Zheng, a public health science major, has been in a long-distance relationship with her boyfriend for nearly two years. Zheng says that she and her partner make time for one another by texting, calling, and visiting one another frequently.
“We make the effort to see each other around every two weeks and we’ll switch off driving to each other,” said Zheng. “We’re always texting each other, updating each other about our days, and we’ll call or facetime whenever we’re just doing little things in our apartments.”
She believes that being in a long-distance relationship has helped her balance her studies and her social life. Zheng says she prioritizes school and her extracurricular activities, but she still makes time for her partner. “I wouldn’t say it’s difficult to keep in touch at all, but long distance relationships definitely take time and commitment.”
Grace Gillis, a psychology major, began dating her boyfriend in high school before having to go long distance. Adapting to college and creating a new schedule was unusual for them, but Gillis says that they “keep in contact all the time and talk on the phone at least three times a week.” The couple makes an effort to see each other at least once a month, but she admits that their busy schedules can sometimes make communication difficult.
Tara Musialowicz, a general biology major, broke up with her high school boyfriend before attending college in the fall of 2019. However, Musialowicz believes that the pandemic brought them back together and made them realize how much they missed one another. “We had nothing better to do than hang out with each other, and during the pandemic we could only really hang out with the same group of people.”
Musialowicz and her boyfriend have now been in a long-distance relationship for two years. They make time for each other by texting minimally throughout the day, calling roughly three times a week, and visiting once a month.
It is not difficult to maintain their relationship because “we matter a lot to each other,” she said. “It is sometimes challenging because we do have a lot going on, but we always make sure to have clear communication and make an effort for one another.”
Long-distance relationships in college seem to be a success if couples stay positive, communicate with each other, and prioritize themselves individually as well.