With winter break approaching, many Ohio University students will spend several weeks without seeing their significant other.

For numerous other students, however, the reality of a long-distance relationship is one that is felt throughout the academic year.

Sophomore Max Resnik has been dating his girlfriend, who is a student at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., for over a year.

Resnik and his girlfriend originally decided to break up before going to college but got back together less than a week later.

“There’s no reason to end a good thing,” he said.

Trust is key in maintaining a long-distance relationship, Resnik said, adding that his girlfriend doesn’t question his honesty.

“I find myself tempted every Thursday through Saturday night, but through the week, it’s a non-issue,” Resnik said. “I think the battles you face on a daily basis are the same, so it makes it easier to know that she’s going through the same thing.”

Despite the many temptations that college can bring, long-distance relationships can work, said Morgan Lucas, a mental health counselor at Hudson Health Center.

“The recipe for making a long-distance relationship work is trust plus communication plus creativity,” she said.Lucas said that thoughtful ways to stay connected to a partner could go a long way.

“Maybe invest in a Web cam so you can see them, or send them a nice care package in the mail,” Lucas said. “It can make a huge difference.”

Michael LeCastre, a junior, said that he and his girlfriend both go to OU but when they go home for break, they are two hours apart.

This can make winter and summer breaks a difficult time in the relationship, he said.

The couple stays in contact through occasional visits and frequent communication, LeCastre said.

“It’s still not the same as being here,” he said. “I’m not a talker, and I don’t want to sit on the phone all day.”

Erika Lindenauer, a freshman, did not succeed in maintaining her relationship. She and her boyfriend of two years broke up this month after he became possessive and stifling.

“There was definitely a difference of values,” Lindenauer said. “He works full-time instead of going to school, so he didn’t really understand what college was all about.”

Lindenauer said her ex-boyfriend didn’t like her friends and was extremely possessive.

“In the end, it just wasn’t worth being three hours away and having to report back to someone,” she said.

Students should try to maintain objectivity in their relationships when deciding whether they are worth investing in, Lucas said.

“Try to objectively evaluate to see if the good is outweighing the bad or the bad is outweighing the good,” she said. Jeremy Lockhart is from the same hometown as his girlfriend, and both attend Ohio University, which means that distance is never a factor.

“It’s better to be close and have a shoulder to lean on,” said Lockhart, a junior. “It would definitely be harder if we were far apart.”

Sophomore Leighann Bayliff said she and her boyfriend are beginning to feel the strain of distance.

Bayliff’s boyfriend of three years lives in Dayton, Ohio, which is about three hours away.

“He used to be more romantic — he’d send me roses and write me letters,” she said. “That made it easier, but he really doesn’t do that anymore.”

However, Bayliff still feels optimistic about the relationship.

“I think it’s important to always be truthful about where you are and what you’re doing,” she said. “Trust is a huge factor.” Ultimately, the success of long-distance relationships entirely depends on the individuals, Lucas said.

“Some students come here and are ready to be in that sort of committed thing, while others can’t handle it,” she said.

How to stay happy in a long-distance relationship

Be social: As lonely as you may be without your partner, holing up in your dorm room on weekend nights won’t make you less miserable. Go to parties, make friends and stay the happy, exciting person your partner was attracted to in the first place.

Stay positive: The more you beg for reassurance, the more your partner will resent it. Try to base conversations on when you will see your partner again instead of focusing on the distance.

Share responsibility: Long-distance relationships can only work if they are reciprocated. If you’re consistently the one to call, text or e-mail, then you may want to ask yourself if your partner is as committed as you.

Look for warning signs: If your relationship is experiencing unusual tension, then you may want to ask yourself if the stress and pressure of long distance are really worth your time.— OU Counseling Services