You have gotten into college and are incredibly excited until you realize something: you will soon be embarking on this journey to a far-off land without your boyfriend or girlfriend by your side. The difficult conversation then ensues about whether you are going to "make this work" and stay together or not. So, assuming you decided to go for it, you are now many hours away from your person, and you have to figure out how you are actually going to make this work.

Here six tips to help you maintain a long-distance relationship:

1. Substitute being face-to-face with FaceTime.

First things first, thank the stars above for FaceTime. There are so many things you can do with FaceTime, whether you just call to tell a story face-to-face, as animated as you need to, or you have an actual movie date. Here's how to do that:

1. Pick a movie.
2. Pop it in to the DVD player in unison.
3. Enjoy a flick with your person miles away from one another.

Simple enough, ya?

You can also schedule actual dates, where you each cook and sit down on FaceTime and have dinner together. I know how silly these concepts sound, but you are going to smile like you never have while you are doing this.

2. Let them know you care with letters.

Write letters, whether it is every day or just sporadically. Yes, pretend you are in "The Notebook." Write your person letters just to make them smile and feel like they are a part of this journey with you. Even if your handwriting is terrible, there is something about the personal touch of a handwritten letter that a typed email or letter just doesn't have.

3. Share some selfies.

Create a Snapchat if you don't already have one and use it! Send silly snaps to them because it will feel like they are actually there with you and seeing what you are doing.

4. Let the countdown begin!

Start a countdown until you will see each other and remind each other of it! Fill out a calendar with the countdown or write it on the bottom of your letters. There is also a really cool app that shows you a running countdown, to the minute, if you are so inclined. It seems like it will make it harder, but the days start flying by, and it makes it so exciting.

5. Mail=BFF

The mail is now your friend! Send your person packages of their favorite things or things that you just think they will like. If there is a big holiday coming up, there are good ideas for themed packages on Pinterest you can send.

6. Show you care.

Figure out your partner's love language if you don't already know it. If they feel love through gifts, make sure to send them little things. If they thrive off of words of affirmation, make sure to send them letters or texts.

In a long-distance relationship, you basically want to be as cheesy as possible because you have to make up for not being in the physical presence of the individual. Don't be afraid to do things that you normally wouldn't: Send selfies and random texts detailing everything you love about that person and never forget to tell that person how much you miss them. Being far away from one another has the potential to bring you both closer in your relationship and create a meaningful emotional connection that you may not have created being in the same location. This is an experience that will cause you to grow as an individual and as a couple. If you have the mindset of making the relationship work and you make an effort, you will make it through this experience!