When it comes to managing your college school work while also having a relationship you can expect things to get a little crazy at times. The issues vary from dealing with your nagging boyfriend or girlfriend while trying to study, to making time for school work when you can’t get your hands off of each other. Here are a few tips to help those out who may be in this position.

The first thing you need to do is to make time to be alone together. Carve out times for dates and whatever else you do with your significant other. Be sure not to lose yourself in your relationship. Don’t get so caught up with your boyfriend/girlfriend that you start to neglect your other responsibilities such as work, school, chores, etc. You need to learn that things may not always go according to plan or the way you laid things out. One of you may have to cancel at the last minute for a project or study time, so the other person needs to realize that school comes first and respect that and not get mad.

The next thing you need to do is always be understanding and forgiving. People don’t always realize that college itself is a job of its own. Studying for midterms and finals, papers, homework and ongoing class all play roles into this daily job called college. Your hours vary, your schedules change, so it isn’t abnormal to cancel dates.

The next thing to do is to always communicate with each other. Talk with each other and be open and honest about things going on and how you feel. Lies are never good. They will come back to bite you and tear you apart. They weaken the bond you two share and can lead to the end of a relationship. Try to listen to one another and be interested in knowing about their day. You need to be able to equally share things with one another not only talking but LISTENING. But be sure to try and keep conversations flowing and the intimacy intact.

Intimacy is a big factor in keeping a college relationship going. Terms of endearment aren’t for every couple but do make some people extremely happy hearing them just once a day. Try to kiss and hug daily to show that you still love each other and are attracted to one another.

Work on your relationship, and keep working at it every day. This isn’t like homework where you do it once and you’re finished. It’s an ongoing thing that needs fine tuning every now and then. Work out your problems in an effective and healthy way that doesn’t lead to fights or arguments. Ask each other for advice or tips that may help improve one another as a whole. Work at making activities for yourselves and staying busy. But most of all, make sure the attraction to one another is still there, because once that goes, it’s all over..