September 6, 2012
The transition to college can always be difficult. Not only does it mean summer ending, but it also calls for lots of money being spent, time away from friends and family and the start of sleepless, homework-filled nights. What makes it even more challenging is having to say “goodbye” to a boyfriend or girlfriend.
Students typically look forward to enjoying the “college experience,” prompting most to believe that coming to school in a relationship is, in simplest terms, stupid. Many fail to see how being in a long distance relationship (LDR) can make college a better experience.
By being in a relationship, a student is able to focus his or her time on making friends, rather than searching for a significant other. There are fewer distractions. Those students that are in relationships can focus more on their academics and school work, as their boyfriend or girlfriend is not with them each day.
Staying in a relationship also makes “college living” a lot simpler. Rather than having to worry about dressing nicely to impress a new “crush,” a person in a LDR can simply roll out of bed – not having to stress about looking top-notch in classes.
Parties are not as nerve-racking for those in LDRs either. Being in a relationship makes such social events a lot stressful. No time is spent trying to catch the attention of someone you may find attractive because – guess what – you already have who you want. Parties can be enjoyed as an event to not only bond with current friends but to also make new ones.
Yes, LDRs can be tough. They do come with some challenges. For example, when should you FaceTime or Skype? How often should he or she visit? Obviously, there are no right answers for these questions. There are some suggestions that can definitely improve an LDR.
Technology today is more advanced than ever. Thanks to video-chat services like the two mentioned above, being in a long distant relationship is now simpler than ever. Although seeing a person through a computer, phone or tablet screen is not as great as being with him or her, it is still better than nothing. Believe it or not, it does make being away from the person so much easier.
It is in the best interest of both you and your partner to space out video calls. If your significant other is also in school, make sure that you both understand each other’s schedules. For example, although my boyfriend is back at home, he also has a busy schedule with work and school, and it is essential that I respect that.
Visits can be a touchy subject. Clearly, the most challenging part of a LDR is being away from your partner. Don’t worry; missing him or her is normal.
But in order to maintain a healthy relationship, you should not see your partner more often than every few weeks. Although your relationship is extremely important to you, college is just as important. Just think – getting an education brings you one step closer to your future with your significant other.
Being in a long distance relationship may seem harder than it actually is. But, when looking at both the pros and cons, it is clear that the pros win. OK – you can FaceTime now!