How To Handle Long Distance Relationships While You’re At University

If you’re going to university this year and you’re going to be separated from your partner, read up.

Going to uni is fun and exciting, it’s a fresh start and an opportunity to meet new people. However, moving away from home can also mean moving away from your boyfriend or girlfriend which can be a lot to deal with. If you and your significant other are both going to different unis, or one of you is going to uni and the other is staying at home, distance can be tricky to deal with especially if you’re used to spending most of your time together.

Although it’s tough, long-distance relationships can definitely work if both parties are willing to make it work, so here’s everything you need to know about long-distance relationships in uni.

1. Don’t let your relationship hold you back from trying new things

Ok, this might not be the first thing you want to hear, but uni is a time to meet new people and make new friends. While FaceTiming with your partner every evening or rushing home to visit them at the first opportunity might seem comforting to you, remember to allocate time to meet new people too. During freshers’ this is your opportunity to make friends, which you may struggle to do if you miss out on socialising during the first few key weeks of uni. So, try your best to put yourself out there and introduce yourself to new people too.

2. Have virtual dates

Luckily, the pandemic has taught us a few things. Virtual date ideas boomed during the first lockdown, and if you managed to make it through a lockdown without seeing your partner every day, you can handle uni too. Make time for virtual dates, whether this is streaming a movie together or having dinner over FaceTime, remember to make time for things that make your relationship work.

3. Agree on how often you’ll see each other

Sadly, it’s unrealistic to expect to see your partner weekly (and travel costs might not be cheap either). Agree with your partner when you’ll be seeing them and how often, whether this is once a month or less frequently. Planning meeting up will not only give you something to look forward to, but you can plan a weekend or week together to do something you both enjoy that will be a fun use of your time together, rather than going home to see one another weekly.

4. Communicate

Long-distance relationships and university both come with challenges. Distance can complicate things, so it’s important to always communicate how you’re feeling with one another. If you’re feeling lonely or overwhelmed, make sure to tell them. If you’re in a relationship and willing to make it work with the distance, you obviously care about one another a lot and rely on each other, so don’t go radio silent on one another. If you’re out with your new uni friends, or busy with uni work tell them! But remember to listen to how they’re feeling too.

5. Remember your reasons for doing it

If you’re finding it hard, remember the reasons why you got into this relationship in the first place. If you genuinely want to make it work, remember that the distance won’t be forever. With Christmas, Easter and the summer holidays, you won’t be apart for longer than a few months at a time, not to mention that uni really does whizz by. If you want to make your relationship work, you will, even with the distance and chances are it can really strengthen your relationship too, even if it is tough at times.

6. Learn to enjoy your own company

If you’re used to spending 24/7 with your boyfriend or girlfriend, the distance can be even more of a shock. However, being in uni is your first chance at independence and freedom and that’s something you can really enjoy. Learn to appreciate the alone time you get to have (without your parents watching over you) and allocate time for yourself and for self-care outside of your degree and uni work.

Most importantly, remember that your partner is only a phone call or text away if you need them. If things get tough, all you have to do is reach out and tell them, but being in uni should be a fun experience that you should enjoy, regardless of your relationship status.