13 Long Distance Relationship Tips

I’ve gotten quite a few e-mails asking me to write a post on long distance relationship tips.

But I’ve never actually been in a long-distance relationship, so I don’t think that I’m the girl for the job! That being said, I know that it’s a very important topic to a lot of you, and that many of you are living in long-distance situations right now. So, I decided to reach out to some of my blogging friends and ask them to help me out!

I was amazed by how many amazing tips I got from these girls! I highly recommend every single one of their blogs, so I hope you take the time to visit their site after you read this post!

So, without further ado, here are 13 of the best long-distance relationship tips for college students!

1. Be dedicated to making the relationship work

If you’re going to do this, both of you need to be 100% dedicated to do whatever it takes to maintain this relationship. If either of you are “iffy” about it at all, it will not work. If either of you are giving more effort than the other, it will tear apart your relationship goals.

– Courtney Dunsmore

2. Be purposeful about communication

Make communication a priority! Just because your significant other lives a million miles away doesn’t mean that you guys shouldn’t talk it as much if not more than other people in their “close proximity” relationships. I wouldn’t say plan out every conversation, but just set aside time to spend with your significant other, especially if you both are busy college students. Maybe have Skype/FaceTime dates, or lunch time phone calls or anything where you can spend a little time together. Also every conversation doesn’t have to be serious, have fun with your relationship! Not only will it make your relationship stronger, but it will also make the occasional strain of long distance relationship easier. – Tanesha Renae Johnson

3. Do things together…apart!

My boyfriend and I met in college, but after we graduated, we spent 3 years living apart. One of my favorite things for us to do when we couldn’t be together, was a movie night! Just because we weren’t physically together didn’t mean we couldn’t enjoy something together. We would chose a movie on Netflix and say “1,2,3, play!” Then we would talk throughout the entire movie over instant messenger or text messages. It was great because we still got to experience the same thing at the same time, which made us feel connected. I really cherish all of those “date nights” and after 3 years, we’re getting married in a month! The long distance was totally worth it! – Megan Tichonevicz

4. Technology is your friend!

Make time for each other virtually. There are so many ways to connect with your significant other without being in the same room. Utilize them! You can chat on Facetime, coordinate a set time to eat dinner together over Skype, play multiplayer games in a private online game room, and so much more. The more effort you put into the long distance relationship, the easier it will be until you’re back in each other’s arms.

– Dana Gibbs

In a LDR and need some encouragement? Read these long distance relationship tips>

Click To Tweet

5. But make sure to talk to the person, not just the screen name

11013352_674331526029413_8028320121269077644_n copy

My boyfriend and I have been together for 3 years and have been long distance for a good majority thanks to colleges that are hours away. As simple and obvious as this may sound take the time to talk to each other on the phone. I have found that a daily 10-20 minute call makes me feel a lot closer and connected than texting each other mindlessly all day. Remember to try to maintain the human part of your relationship and not let the technology take over

– Christine Angell

6. Send things in the mail, and visit in person!

As great as texting is for keeping day to day communication up, a care package or a handwritten letter can still mean a lot and show your SO that you care and are thinking of them, even from a distance! Arrange in person visits as often as you can! Ideal for us ended up being every other weekend, but we also lived relatively close to each other (Boston and NYC) as far as LDRs go. Alternate who visits whom, so there’s no resentment about a difference in perceived effort to support the relationship.

– Danai Kadzere

LDR tip: don’t rely on technology! Send gifts in the mail, and visit when you can!

Click To Tweet

7. Nurture trust in the relationship

Trust. Trust is the foundation of any relationship. Especially one that is long distance. Being with someone you want to spend every waking minute with them..until you get tired of them of course haha. But when you are seeing someone you don’t get to see everyday, you have to trust them, and they have to trust you. Trust that your only interested in them, they are the only person you want to be with. Trust that no temptation will ever come between the two. If I can’t trust the person I am with, whether I am in a long distance relationship or not, that foundation is weak. And a weak foundation will not hold the house up, or in this situation, the relationship. – Christina Loraine

8. Let yourself have a life outside of the relationship

Live. At first it was really hard for me to get my head around the fact that I could have a life separate from my boyfriend. In my head it all had to be about him. While I do still focus a big chunk of my time toward him, I have finally began to actively go out and create my own life. I started my blog to give me something to do and work on, I’m making a great group of friends, and I started a new organization at my college campus. Do things to distract yourself so that you aren’t wallowing in self pity. Trust me, it helps. – Dani Dearest

Long distance relationships can be hard, but love conquers all! Here are some great LDR tips>>

Click To Tweet

9. Make routine time for each other

Screen Shot 2015-09-02 at 2.01.06 PM copy

Make time for phone calls or Skype sessions. Everyone has busy lives, and it’s easy to push talking to your significant other aside when new tasks or plans pop up. However, having a routine for communication gives the relationship a sense of normalcy and helps both people feel more connected. My boyfriend and I always take a few minutes on Skype before bed. That way, we stay up-to-date with the other’s life and still feel like our relationship is important. – Nicole Harris

10. Don’t compare your relationship to anyone else’s

As a traveling collegiate in a long distance relationship, I’ve experienced some unique struggles — everything is harder when your significant other isn’t physically present. Communication becomes complicated. Plane tickets and gas prices create financial tension. Time differences and work schedules push Skype calls to the side. It’s easy to look at other couples and envy their ability to simply be together, but don’t compare your long distance relationships to the “normal” ones surrounding you. Doing so only makes things harder. Instead, focus on the special dynamics of your own relationship. You’ve found someone special, and that is worth the distance. – Sierra Bailey

13 bloggers got together to tell you their best LDR tips! Read them here>>

Click To Tweet

11. Accept and don’t be intimidated by change

If your partner has picked up a new hobby or made new friends, it doesn’t mean that they are replacing you. It means, most likely, that they are (like you should be) enriching their own lives and taking the time that you are spending apart to fill the void that you have left behind. Growth is good for relationships! You both will bring much more to the table if you are able to embrace individual change. – May McNeil

12. Plan when you’re going to see each other next

Never say goodbye without knowing the next time you’ll see each other again…it makes leaving a little bit easier! But also know that missing each other is good because that means you’re lucky enough to have someone to miss! – Meghan Farrell

I, Rebecca, personally love this one! Getting into the habit of figuring out when you’re going to meet up again next gets rid of the ambiguity of who should make the plans, or the worry about whether or not you’re being overbearing.

13. Look at the benefits of being in an LDR

Try to look on the bright side and see the many benefits that being in a long-distance relationship in college presents. Many people in college relationships get so swept up that they barely get to spend any time with friends, or focus on school. By being in an LDR, you get to live your life like a single person – going to fun events, spending time with your friends, devoting yourself to your studies – while still having a stable, loving relationship to come back to at the end of the day (even if you’re just checking in over Skype).

– Sara Laughed

So there you have it! The top 13 Long-distance relationship tips from some fellow bloggers who have had extensive LDR experience!