10 Tips to Making a Long Distance Relationship Work

It’s September, a time when half of the country’s 18 year old's cram their belongings in to a car and embark on a 3 (or more) year journey half way across the country. For most people, that means leaving their family and friends, but for some, it also means leaving their significant other. It’s easy for older people to disregard younger relationships but that doesn’t mean they’re right. Yes, for some people, breaking up and starting fresh in a new city is right for them. However for some people, breaking up is not what they want or need, plunging them into a dreaded LDR (or long distance relationship for those of you not down with the lingo.) My family and friends network is full of examples of successful LDR’s through uni (and inevitably, some failures).

I wanted to write today about some of my 'tips' on coping with long distance relationships. Whether it's a result of different universities, a job that requires travelling, or simply living away from each other, long distance relationships can get tough sometimes. Although every relationship is different, hopefully some of the experiences I've had and things I have learnt will help people in similar situations.

I met my boyfriend, Sam, on a ski season 18 months ago. We've always been long distance; he lives a 3 hour drive away from where I live, and when I'm at uni that grows to 7 hours. But none of that compares to the 5 months last year when Sam lived in France. We were quite literally a sea apart, and I was at university without the time or money to keep flying over to see him. We got through it though, so today I thought I'd share my top tips to surviving (and thriving!) in a long distance relationship. 

1. Communication

I know this is the number one of every relationship guide but I have learnt just how important, and different, communication is in a long distance relationship.  Whether it's over the phone or texting, things can be so easily misinterpreted. Tell them if you're having a bad day or if you particularly miss them. Let them know if they're doing something that annoys you. If you cope by distracting and busying yourself, tell them you might not be around much during the day. I found it particularly hard in moments where Sam and I had not spoken and he wasn't replying and which led to me overthinking. A lot of the time, he was sleeping or at work but I didn't know that. By just telling me that he was working and would be around to call at 8 pm, I instantly felt better. 


I had a habit of going silent when I was really upset. This is something I regret doing and I avoid now, but I shut myself off when I was upset. This led to some of our hardest times and I regret not just telling Sam exactly how I was feeling so we could work through it.

2. Talk before hand

For those that are just beginning the long distance journey, use your time together to talk about any worries, boundaries or ground rules you may have. As I said, talking face to face is so much easier for those kind of conversations and that way you'll have all the harder stuff figured out before. Try to be optimistic though. Talk about the things you're going to do while they're away, talk about what you can do when they come back. Start planning visits (if you can), to break up the large chunk of time. 

3. MAKE TIME

This one we're still working on. I don't mean just calling everyday, I mean setting aside times when you're both free and can concentrate on each other. That might be everyday, that might be every 4 days, whatever works for you. I make real effort to not be on social media or doing other things while facetiming, although I know it's something I need to work on. Even when Sam was in England, we would facetime mostly at night so it's nice to set aside time so we can chat as long and openly as we would at home. But things get in the way, especially when I was at university and going out a lot. We found it worked really well to have a nice call while I was doing my makeup etc and he had already eaten. It doesn't mean that you can't talk at other times as well, it's just knowing that you have the time put aside and you're still prioritising each other. 

4. But give eachother space

When you are so far away, on such different schedules, it can be hard knowing when is a good time to talk. If Sam's having a chill night with the boys, I consciously give him space. Sometimes that means not even telling him I'm around because I know that might make him leave early so we can call. It's pushing each other to appreciate the people that are around, whether that's friends or family. Some nights I just want to spend the whole night on the phone, especially if I know Sam's free. But I have had better nights when I've invested in a family card night. I always say to Sam, you're on a season for a reason, so commit! Don't spend the whole time on the phone with me. It's hard to say sometimes but it makes me feel better knowing he's making the most of the opportunity he's had. Obviously the same applied to me being at university, although you tend to have at least some free time while other people are working or at lectures so it doesn't impact your social life quite as much.

5. Get a bit soppy 

It's hard to show someone how much you love them over text or just over the phone. So use your imagination and get a lil bit romantic and mushy. Write letters, send presents (even if it's just a fiver to buy a pint on you), take pictures and sentimental things with you. Just after I got home from university, I was having a really bad day. Sam ordered roses to my house that arrived after work the next day. Gestures like that mean so much and make you feel so much closer.

6. Understand privacy 

I'm used to having a private relationship, we talk for hours and hours just the two of us and I tell him things I wouldn't share with anyone else. One of the most important things is finding somewhere in your new location (or your partners new location), that you can talk in private. Not * necessarily intimate conversations but to keep your relationship special and between just you. If you find you're suddenly sharing a dorm with 5 girls, find somewhere you can talk away from everyone else. There's nothing more annoying than trying to facetime your partner and being bombarded with strangers who 'want to see you'.

* But clearly! privacy is important for intimate conversations and whatever you chose to do. That seems more obvious though.

7. Engage in each other's lives, even if they are separate 

Making friends with your partners room mates at home or their colleagues at work do's is one thing. Investing in their new friends you may never meet is another. I did a season last year and watched a big 'them v us' situation occur with people in relationships. The partners at home were perceived as the people that were stopping them from going out or spending time with the group. Balance is key here, but there will be a time where you (or your partner) don't go out so you can call. I  chatted to some of the guys Sam was living with and am on friendly terms. I try hard to invest in his life abroad, even if I'm not really part of it. This is especially important if you're going out to visit them.

(Disclaimer: the above is only really applicable in certain situations. Ski seasons have a certain reputation and culture that relationships don't fit into. Not every situation will be the same and a lot of the time, people will be a lot more respectful about other people's relationships!)

8. Busy yourself and self care

I know it won't always feel like it, but I found this a really good time to focus on myself. Invest in relationships at home, spend more time with your family, read more books, try learning a new language! The list goes on.. Use this time to develop yourself in any way you want. If you have exams, use your partners absence as time you can really focus on studying. Maybe go and see a friend at the weekend that you haven't seen in a while. There's so much you can do to fill your time. I have honestly had the best days when I really work on myself, clearing out my room, having a day with my mum. Admittedly, they may be days when my communication is not the most frequent but always makes me feel better, especially if I'm a bit down.

9. Allow yourself to be sad

Long distance relationships are tough and extremely testing. But if what you have is worth it, then it is worth it. Let yourself cry, it's okay to feel sad. I felt pathetic at first, crying over a boy?! But it's normal. The mistake I made was spending the first week of him leaving pretty much alone. Surround yourself with friends, family (or just people).

10. Be Positive!

I wanted to leave this one till the end because it's probably the most important. Don't get bogged down by the idea of a long distance relationship. Approach it day by day and learn to appreciate how amazing it is to have something so worthwhile and amazing in your life. Talk to your partner about what you want to do together in the future. Plan holidays for later in the year! Don't over complicate things. Be positive and let them know how much you love them.

I know every relationship is different, but hopefully some of these tips were helpful! I didn't want to approach the subject of trust and cheating, it's so personal and not something I could really write about. 

Long distance relationships are tough, but they'll be back soon, I promise.

Have you got any other advice? I'd love to hear it, just leave a comment below!

Thanks for reading,

Laura x

Keep reading...

The Ultimate Guide to a Ski Season

7 Things You Need to do Before Going to University

How to Travel on a Student Budget