You hear a lot about summer relationships and taking them into the school year, but what about making sure that a school year relationship can last the summer?
The school year has flown by. You've met new people, made new friends, and possibly started dated someone. Whether he lives in the same dorm or across campus, your new boyfriend has probably been by your side for weekend parties, study sessions, and movie dates. But what happens when school's out? If the two of you come from the same town or within 30-60 minutes of each other, you're probably not too concerned. But what if you live hours apart or even different states?
Here are some ways to ensure that your new romance can endure through summer break:
Bring it up. See what he thinks. If you two have been dating since the fall, you've probably gotten pretty close and serious. But if you just started dating him within the last month, it's a different situation. It's important to see what he wants out of your relationship and whether or not he wants to continue dating through the summer. It's also important to just get his opinion on how everything will work out while you date in the summertime (travel, dates, times, etc).
Communicate. Talk about anything and everything. Don't rely on social networking sites or texting. If you can't get face-to-face contact, pick up the phone. Hearing someone's voice is always better than reading impersonal words on a computer screen. Don't worry about what you talk about just talk. Even easy stuff like how your day went, what you did, who you hung out with can make you feel more connected to your guy.
While you shouldn't rely on technology, you can take advantage of it to compliment phone and face-to-face convos. E-mail each other. Use Skype. Instant Message. Web cam. Those are all easy ways to keep in touch.
Meet regularly. Plan to see each other at least once every month---maybe even twice. Work out the travel plans. Perhaps he'll drive to your town one weekend and you'll drive to his in two weeks. Or meet somewhere in the middle.
Don't exhaust yourselves of each other. Schools out and you may suddenly find that you have tons of time on your hand. Your first thought may to be to spend an entire week or more together. But don't suffocate each other. If neither of you gets enough space, you'll tire of the relationship.
Lay ground rules. If you mutually decide to date other people over the summer, don't get mad if you hear that he has been doing just that. If you mutually decide to stay loyal and date exclusively, don't cheat and don't let him get away with being a cheater either.
Keep jealousy out of the equation. Jealousy can spring up if trust and communication are lacking. It may be because of past insecurities or experiences in former relationships, but don't let those experiences affect this new one. Trust each other. Have faith. Jealousy will only eat away at you.
Stay positive. If you live far apart and have busy lives, dating may be difficult at times this summer. But keep in touch, always assume that your guy loves and cares for you, and don't give in to negative thoughts.
Do those things and you will make so many memories during the summer. And you'll be able to pick up right where you left off once August rolls around.
Amore.
The school year has flown by. You've met new people, made new friends, and possibly started dated someone. Whether he lives in the same dorm or across campus, your new boyfriend has probably been by your side for weekend parties, study sessions, and movie dates. But what happens when school's out? If the two of you come from the same town or within 30-60 minutes of each other, you're probably not too concerned. But what if you live hours apart or even different states?
Here are some ways to ensure that your new romance can endure through summer break:
Bring it up. See what he thinks. If you two have been dating since the fall, you've probably gotten pretty close and serious. But if you just started dating him within the last month, it's a different situation. It's important to see what he wants out of your relationship and whether or not he wants to continue dating through the summer. It's also important to just get his opinion on how everything will work out while you date in the summertime (travel, dates, times, etc).
Communicate. Talk about anything and everything. Don't rely on social networking sites or texting. If you can't get face-to-face contact, pick up the phone. Hearing someone's voice is always better than reading impersonal words on a computer screen. Don't worry about what you talk about just talk. Even easy stuff like how your day went, what you did, who you hung out with can make you feel more connected to your guy.
While you shouldn't rely on technology, you can take advantage of it to compliment phone and face-to-face convos. E-mail each other. Use Skype. Instant Message. Web cam. Those are all easy ways to keep in touch.
Meet regularly. Plan to see each other at least once every month---maybe even twice. Work out the travel plans. Perhaps he'll drive to your town one weekend and you'll drive to his in two weeks. Or meet somewhere in the middle.
Don't exhaust yourselves of each other. Schools out and you may suddenly find that you have tons of time on your hand. Your first thought may to be to spend an entire week or more together. But don't suffocate each other. If neither of you gets enough space, you'll tire of the relationship.
Lay ground rules. If you mutually decide to date other people over the summer, don't get mad if you hear that he has been doing just that. If you mutually decide to stay loyal and date exclusively, don't cheat and don't let him get away with being a cheater either.
Keep jealousy out of the equation. Jealousy can spring up if trust and communication are lacking. It may be because of past insecurities or experiences in former relationships, but don't let those experiences affect this new one. Trust each other. Have faith. Jealousy will only eat away at you.
Stay positive. If you live far apart and have busy lives, dating may be difficult at times this summer. But keep in touch, always assume that your guy loves and cares for you, and don't give in to negative thoughts.
Do those things and you will make so many memories during the summer. And you'll be able to pick up right where you left off once August rolls around.
Amore.
