Back to school, ladies and gentlemen, we are back. We can no longer smell that faint trace of the ocean on our clothes, the beach sunset “instas” have been put to rest, and the need to put on sun block seems completely irrelevant. Whether we want to admit it or not, summer is in the rearview mirror.
It came and went as quick as you’d expect, leaving us Collegiettes facing exactly what makes us Collegiettes: attending college. With a new semester in front of us we make the best of a new schedule, new classes, and a new place to live. A new year is like no other. You’re one year older, one year wiser, and most importantly one year closer to 21 (at least for me). But for some of us, amidst all the chaos of a new chapter here at BC, we leave behind a person who we have grown used to having around us these past couple of months. Yes, we are back to long distance.
Many people think it’s not worth it, that is, not worth trying to have a long distance relationship over the course of your sole four years in college. But I disagree, and while some may call me an optimist, I think that relationships require two parts. One, your ability to give yourself completely to another individual and two, that you are willing to commit all that you have to offer to them. “Why not?” is another way to put it. If you like someone and you have something good going from back home, try it! The worst that happens is that it fails and hey, at least you gave it everything you got, right?
Aside from the obvious, “Yes it’s hard being long distance blah blah blah” I am going to touch upon the wonderful things I have encountered in my long distance relationship and hopefully inspire some of you to take another look at the way people see these types of relationships.
- You get more time for yourself
This one really speaks the truth. Instead of feeling like you always should be with your significant other, you get to spend time doing exactly what you want to do. Whether that be spending more time on homework, shopping at the Pru, working out, or even just watching TV alone, you don’t have to build your quality “you-time” around someone else. While sure you may miss having them around, it is important to take time out of your day to focus on you, which will eventually lead to you learning more about yourself, your needs, and your interests which will most likely help your relationship in the long run.
- You get more time for your friends
One thing people always struggle with is taking enough time away from their boyfriend for their friends. This especially happens when the boy is living very close to the girl on campus. Let’s all admit it, it’s a hard balance. But much less so for long distance people because hey, we barely see them anyways so neither will you!
- A part of you is somewhere else entirely
Over the summer my boyfriend traveled to Europe, while I remained here back in MA. I have never been out of the country so I was quite envious of his abroad experience. But lucky for me, through the awesome apps our world has created, I got to talk to him all the time! He sent me pictures, wrote my name on the John Lennon Wall in Prague, and left my initials on a historic bridge. So yeah, I didn’t travel around Europe, but my wicked cool boyfriend did and left pieces of me everywhere!
- Seeing them again
Hands down this is the best part about long distance relationships. Nothing is better than getting the butterflies when you are about to see your significant other after a long period of time. It reminds you why you’re with them and makes you cherish the limited time you have to spend with them.
So ladies (and gentlemen), I hope this article sheds some light on the positives of long distance relationships. Remember, do what makes you happiest and if that is being with a non-BC boy from home then so be it!
Photo Sources
http://thesls.blogspot.com/2014/04/surviving-long-distance-relationship.html
http://www.survivingcollege.com/12-reasons-your-roommate-is-your-soulmate/
http://theabroadguide.com/long-distance-relationship-study-abroad/