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Navigating a Relationship with Someone at a Different School
Foster a strong long-distance connection by staying in frequent contact and planning regular visits. Keep the spark alive through virtual date nights and thoughtful gestures like handwritten notes or surprise gifts. Stay engaged by focusing on your personal growth, friendships, and interests.
Key Steps
Stay in consistent communication with your partner.
Regular communication is key to maintaining a strong connection. Without frequent interaction, it's easy to drift apart. Barrett suggests finding creative ways to stay in touch if you're not seeing each other daily.
- Express your thoughts and feelings openly, even about small matters. Tone can be hard to convey over text or phone, so clarity is essential.
- Be transparent about your daily experiences.
- Check in with your partner about their day and share yours. Consider establishing a routine, like a nightly call or text, to recap your day, even if briefly.
- Plan weekends together and schedule regular times to talk or meet.
- Reader Poll: In a survey of 1515 Mytour readers, only 8% preferred imagining being their partner as a way to connect. [Take Poll] Setting aside dedicated time to talk proves more effective for staying connected.
Leverage technology to stay connected.
Modern technology makes long-distance relationships more manageable. With countless communication tools, your relationship can flourish.
- Barrett recommends using Skype or Facetime for face-to-face interaction.
- Platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok help you stay engaged in each other’s lives. For example, send a daily Snap to your partner as a small gesture of connection.
- Text or email daily. Barrett advises, "Since you’re not physically together, amp up the affectionate messages." A simple "Thinking of you!" can go a long way.
- Respond promptly to calls or messages to show your partner they’re a priority, but balance this with other responsibilities.
Keep the spark alive.
Distance doesn’t have to dampen romance. Even when apart, you can keep the excitement alive with thoughtful gestures. Dress up for video calls or send heartfelt letters to make moments special.
- Turn video chats into virtual dates. Dress up, tidy your space, or even order a meal for your partner to share the experience.
- Develop shared interests to deepen your bond—read the same book, watch the same movie, or stream a show together. Barrett suggests, "Sync up on Netflix during a digital date and press play simultaneously."
- Incorporate traditional mail. Sending a postcard, letter, or care package with their favorite treats can add a personal touch to your communication.
Engage in shared extracurricular activities.
If you live close by, you can participate together. Even if you’re apart during school hours, joining the same after-school programs allows you to spend time together and bond over shared interests.
- Many areas offer activities like social gatherings, workshops, sports, and volunteer opportunities for young people.
- Volunteer at places like animal shelters, libraries, or other causes you’re passionate about. It’s a meaningful way to connect while contributing to your community.
- Consider joining a club, theater group, or sports team, or taking a class together. Learning something new as a couple can strengthen your bond.
- Spending time after school also helps you get to know your partner’s friends better.
- Invite your partner to school events like dances, plays, or games, and attend theirs as well.
Make time to visit each other regularly.
Weekends, holidays, or after school—any chance you get! While staying connected virtually is important, meeting in person can help strengthen your relationship.
- Weekends and school breaks are ideal for reuniting, especially if you’re both returning to your hometown to visit family.
- Plan trips to each other’s schools. It’s a great way to meet their friends, see their activities, and enjoy time together in their environment.
- Experiencing your partner’s daily life helps you better understand their experiences and conversations.
- Consider organizing short trips or spring break getaways. While travel can be expensive, student-friendly agencies like STA Travel offer discounted rates on transportation and accommodations.
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What strategies do you find most effective as a student to prioritize time with your partner?
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Start QuizExplore More QuizzesRecognize that it's natural to miss them.
It’s completely normal and healthy to feel this way. Being apart from someone you care about can be challenging, and it’s natural to feel sadness or loneliness at times. Acknowledge these emotions and discuss them openly; doing so can help you process and move forward.
- When you’re missing your partner, let them know. A simple message like “I miss you” can ease your feelings and remind them they’re loved. They might be feeling the same way, too!
- Share your feelings with close friends or family members. They may understand, even if they’re not in a long-distance relationship themselves.
Build trust in each other.
Trust is the foundation of any strong relationship, especially long-distance ones. It’s normal to wonder what your partner is doing or who they’re with, but try not to let these thoughts overwhelm you.
- While long-distance relationships can be challenging, research suggests they may have a higher success rate than traditional relationships.
- Couples in long-distance relationships often develop effective strategies for overcoming obstacles.
Encourage their personal development.
Supporting their growth strengthens your relationship. As you both navigate different schools and experiences, you might grow in unique ways. Embrace and encourage their journey, even if it feels uncertain or intimidating.
- Starting college or new social environments can be tough. Share your experiences and empathize with their challenges.
- Having separate lives doesn’t mean growing apart. Stay connected by discussing your lives and making time for each other, allowing your relationship to thrive.
Engage actively in your school life.
Focus on maximizing your own school experience. While being apart from your partner can be tough, immersing yourself in school activities can help alleviate stress and bring balance to your life.
- Stay on top of your schoolwork and strive to build friendships in each class.
- Set aside regular time to spend with school friends, whether it’s hanging out after school or catching a movie—perhaps one your partner isn’t interested in.
- While shared activities with your partner are great, pursue independent interests as well. Building your own life fosters confidence, energy, and plenty of topics to discuss with your partner.
