Nothing is worse than being away from the one you hold closest to your heart. Being in a long distance relationship is one of the most difficult things I have ever done. 

I have been dating my boyfriend, Chad, for almost a year and a half, which has been mostly through a distance of 180 miles. 

I know I don’t qualify as a relationship expert but I am going to try to give you some helpful advice. The number one thing to always remember is that no matter the circumstance, women are always right. Okay, just kidding. 

The key things to know in any relationship are the three C’s: compromise, communication and to give (and receive) compliments. I understand that when you’re young you want to be selfish with your time, but these three things are the way to make your relationships work. 

Doing something that is as simple as compromising on what movie to watch can make a huge difference in a relationship. Chad usually wants to watch dumb movies that I don’t want to see and I know he hates majority of the girly stuff I make him watch, but when choosing a movie to watch nothing is easier than a quick negotiation. That’s compromise: maybe they choose this time, but next time it’s your choice. 

Communication is another huge thing that is important in a relationship, especially in a long distance one. Making room in your busy schedule to talk on the phone or see each other for the weekend can be difficult. 

My friend Gian is in a relationship with a girl that lives over 3,000 miles away. He sets an alarm to wake up every morning at 6 a.m. so that he doesn’t waste any minute of talking to her.  

Giving a compliment is the perfect way to put someone in a good mood. This isn’t just about telling your significant other they look good, it’s about telling them that you are proud of them and that you will stand by them no matter what they want to do. 

After Chad got his career job as a lineman, it was a struggle because he had to endure a lot during the hiring process. He was stressed because he had to do training at a six-week school but during all of this he just needed me to stand by him and tell him that I was proud of all he had accomplished. 

About a year ago, I read something that said you should only talk a few times a day for a short period of time to the one you love when away from them.  It said that you shouldn’t talk for an hour straight once a day because you will run out of things to say. 

I disagree with this because I find myself being lonelier when I only talk to him for a few minutes at a time. It feels like a tease to not be able to actually have a real conversation. But to each his own, if you enjoy only talking for a few minutes at a time, do it. Do whatever feels right to you. 

According to a 2010 article from USA Today, about half of all college students are in long distance relationships. When others hear that I am in a long distance relationship, they automatically assume that it is going to fail.

I know that honestly it is a longshot to make them work, but if you and your significant other are willing to put in the time and effort then there is no reason why they shouldn’t work. Today with Skype, Facetime or whatever video chat you have, there is no reason for a failed relationship. 

We shouldn’t let the lonely nights, fights without proper make ups, or negativity of others get to us. The bottom line is, if you want it to work, make it work.