Long distance doesn't need to be scary

150 miles. 3 hours by car. One hundred and fifty miles. That’s how far away Lincoln is from home.

‘How am I going to manage being that far away from everyone I love? – This was the thought I kept going over and over during the few days before I moved to university.

But now, having just moved home after finishing my first year and having had the best 9 months of my life, I wonder why I was so scared.

It’s nerve racking knowing you’ll be moving to a strange city where you don’t know anybody. Leaving everyone either at home or knowing they’re also moving away. It can feel like you and your friends are all growing apart.

When I went to college I didn’t even manage to stay in touch with friends from high school. How would I keep friendships and a relationship alive with 150 miles in-between us?

I won’t lie, it’s tough. But it is possible. You realise when moving that distance that you don’t need to speak to someone constantly or see them everyday to still be an important part of their life. Yes, things change when you go to uni, but if you’re willing to put in the effort it doesn’t have to be the end.

Visiting

I can’t afford to keep popping home every weekend, plus I didn’t want to be going home that frequently, I was determined to embrace my independence. But, when I am home I make sure I have time to go and see my friends. If you can’t seem to sync the time you’re all home, you could also visit them at uni or invite them to visit you. I was fortunate that my boyfriend and best friends were able to visit me and they could share part of my uni experience.

Skype and Facetime

It’s free! Facetiming your mates every once in a while makes it a lot easier – those promises that you’ll Skype once a week probably won’t materialise. The only person I did manage to ring regularly was my boyfriend – which helped make long distance a lot easier. However, when I was able to call my friends from home it felt like no time had passed at all.

Post

I love getting post! Unfortunately, I don’t get it often. However, over this year my best friend sent me cards, especially around exam time when she knew I was stressed. Seeing the card and knowing the effort that went into it makes you realise your friends are there for you and there to support you.

Text

Simple. Just drop them a message, or send a Snapchat of something you see that you want to share with them. Even tagging them in a Facebook meme you think they’d find funny. That bit of casual contact with friends you haven’t seen or spoken to in a while reminds them that you’re thinking about them.

When all is said and done, if you do lose contact with friends from home I can assure you it’s not the end of the world. It’s sad at the time but people change. You meet so many new people at uni, who undoubtedly become friends for life.