Whether you are a serial LDD-er (long distance dater, obvs) or this is your first case of separation anxiety, remember that a summer break is not a relationship death sentence, but more of a Paris-esque mini lockdown with time off for good behavior!

The most important aspect of a long distance relationship (as in any other healthy one) is communication. Beyond the obvious (calling, texting, IMing), it’s important to create an open channel of expression that allows you both to clearly explain your thoughts, feelings and, most importantly, expectations throughout this relationship vacation (not the Speidi version).

Before you two lovebirds separate, talk about the impending geographical issue. Discuss how you’re feeling about it (nervous? anxious? scared?) and why. Bring up your thoughts on the social scene and parties. I’m not a believer in strict rules governing your right to party (thank you, Beastie Boys) but your definition of a good time might be quite different from his (Is it ok to flirt shamelessly but innocently for free drinks? Are you cool with a night at the strip club with his boys?). By talking about problems like wandering eyes or drifting apart before they happen, you can easily avoid them. And by establishing a sitch where you can freely talk about stuff like that will help you stay secure in your union.

Now that you two have gotten all the paperwork out of the way, enjoy your last night together and prepare to start a new chapter in your relationship that will only strengthen it, if done correctly.

An easy way to feel close without physicality it to try to maintain a routine. Designate phone time during breaks at work. Text each other during boring lectures (not that I’m encouraging you to neglect your schoolwork or anything.) Watch Jeopardy together and race each other to IM the answers. Winner gets paid in sexual favors (keep tally for the reunion!). Remember that, yea you guys are apart and that sucks, but some of your favorite things to do together can still be done at a distance.

That said, shake it up a little bit and surprise each other. If you know he’s hanging out around his apartment with nothing to do, order his favorite pizza and have it delivered to him, all expenses paid. Get your guy friends or brother to challenge him at Halo and talk smack to him through their head piece until he figures out it’s you.

For a more timeless surprise, never underestimate the power of snail mail. He gets calls and e-mails from everyone. You know who he gets mail from? Bill collectors. And his Grandma on his birthday. Imagine his surprise when he gets a legit, full blown love letter from his favorite person in the whole wide world.* Does he have a hobby? Get him a subscription to a cool guy mag. Are you an Iron Chef? Bake him his favorite recipe à vous and ship that deliciousness his way. (Or try any of these to remind him jusssst how much he misses you.)

Of course, the best surprise you can deliver is your wonderful self, but that’s a little cost prohibitive via UPS. Unless they ship humans, cause, um, done. Anyways, if you have the coin to splurge on airline tix (make that money, girl!), get the cheapest tickets known to girl-kind. If not, consider the alternatives. Split the gas with some friends if he’s within driving distance. Grab a few of your girlfriends and get a car on a train (I’m not sure if it’s legal, but a bottle of your preference could make it quite a fun ride). Consider meeting him halfway somewhere that you both would love to visit, like a theme park or cute town, that happens to be inexpensive. Seeing your boyfriend? Sweet. Going on an impromptu vacay with said studmuffin? SWEET!

When it comes down to it though, the hardest part about LDR’s is keeping it hot. Done and done. Embrace your inner sex kitten and fire up that webcam babydoll! If that’s a little too American Pie for your tastes, start out slow with some suggestive texting or phone sex (if you can keep a straight face). Send him sexy pictures (nothing too risque though, you never know where those will end up). If the wonders of modern technology just ain’t your thang, simply assure your boyfriend that the temptress he left behind is ready and eagerly awaiting his (or your) return.

While you are apart, though, revel in your newfound freedom! Not that he kept you tied up or anything– unless you’re into that– but emotionally and time-wise, a boyfriend most definitely occupies the majority of your schedule. This means more time for your long lost girlfriends! Bring on brunch, sleepovers, girl’s night out and chick flick marathons. No matter how much you miss your guy, your girls will more than make up for his absence. Another benefit? Alone time! Enjoy the time you would usually spend with him all. by. yourself. At first it might feel like you’ve just been surgically separated from your Siamese twin, but eventually you’ll crave time to lay around, read a book, or just chill on the lonesome.

Being apart can be hard, but if you make the effort to maintain your already awesome coupledom, this trial will only make you stronger (cheesy, but true). And whenever you get sad or lonely, mentally play your reunion (running hug, big kiss and goofy smile, the works!) and how much more you’ll appreciate each other then.

*Additional benefit: a reciprocated love letter, leading to a Notebook style correspondence that will lead to a torrid reunion and leave you with priceless sentimental scrapbook fodder. Mmm scrapbooking.

Sure, I support their cause – everyone should be compensated fairly for the work that they do – but I didn’t really care if they were striking because my Thursday night line-up was still intact.

Now, one month later, I am beginning to feel the pinch.

Whereas I used to stress out about the sheer number of shows backed up on my DVR (“Ahh! There is never enough time to watch them all!”), the lack of new episodes of my favorite shows this past week has left my poor DVR out of a job. And left me with nothing to do after a long day at my job.

I have been forced to get a little more creative with my free time and have discovered some wonderful new activities to enjoy beyond my couch and remote. If you too are experiencing a little non-reality-TV-withdrawal, fill your newfound free time with some of these:

Reading For Pleasure: I didn’t realize just how little I have read in the past year until I sat down and began reading some new books this week. My God, there are so many good books out there right now! My new favorites (that everyone absolutely must read) are: A Thousand Splendid Suns and Eat, Pray, Love. I finished both in under a week!

Discovering New Music: Everyone knows iTunes is the bomb for finding just about anything, but my favorite feature is when they recommend new artists based on the music you like. I started playing around with it and three hours later I had found some awesome new stuff (like Dave Barnes).

Working Out: With no excuse not to go (“Grey’s is on in 20!”), get your ass up and get to the gym.

Scrapbooking: Take it from me: when college is over you are going to want captions for all of those pictures. And a nice book to put em in. I started sifting through my stacks (yes, they are in stacks and not in nice little books) of pictures lately and kicked myself for not making scrapbooks earlier. I can barely remember the context for most of the pictures and I can’t find anything when I want to! Grrrr.

Studying: Finals are a-coming, ladies. Get to it!

Catching up with Friends: We all get so caught up in the day to day that sometimes we forget to check in with the people most important to us. Now that I have no TV to watch at night I have started catching up with friends I neglected during the busy month of November. And it has been great. Your home friends miss you; give them a call.

I am sure until this point you have been filling the extra time with more clicks on Facebook or a few extra nights at the bar. But, come on, do you really need any more of those?!

If you are like me, you are totally hesitant about becoming a Real Person with a real schedule and real responsibilities. And if you aren’t dreading the hard, fast and very rude awakening you are about to undergo, I’m here to tell you to jump on this train because it is going to suck.

But there is one thing to look forward to while you are home unpacking all your memories, sifting through pictures of your senior bar crawl and thinking about how it’s only downhill from here on out… graduation gifts! Now that deserves a whoop-de-do (with an exclamation point) !

Only problem is whenever I am put on the spot with a “What do you want for graduation?” it seems as though I can never think of anything and end up getting gifts I don’t really have any use for.

To solve that problem I am bringing you a list of gift ideas to get/give from parents, siblings, friends, grandparents, your mailman (how cool would you feel if you’re mailman actually got you a graduation gift?!) and so on.

iPod: If you don’t have one or if yours is outdated and has a shitty battery (ahem, mine) these make a great gift. The shuffle, nano and regular iPod hit three different price points making it an affordable gift option.

Starbucks Gift Card: Ah Starbucks, my addiction, my vice, the light of my life- if only you weren’t so damn overpriced I wouldn’t have to cringe everyday at your register. That’s why Starbucks gift cards are the best. Whether you will be a grad student, an underpaid journalist who can’t afford Starbucks any longer or a busy in a high powered-long hour’ed business world these cards are gifts from heaven.

Work Wardrobe: Sad as it is your daily sweats and sorority zip-up ensemble will no longer be appropriate for your 9-5er. But at least you get to go shopping! And with a gift certificate to your local mall, favorite department store or Banana Republic (great work clothes), you can get a new wardrobe at someone else’s expense. There is nothing better than that.

Digital Camera: Maybe I am the only one who is technologically cursed, but after 4 years, my digi cam, iPod and laptop have all taken a beating. Now is a good time to ask for a camera that is brand-spakin-new. Check Costco for great deals on Digital Cameras.

Gym Membership: Let’s face it, next year when you are paying your own way, and it comes down to a new shirt/a few extra drinks a month or paying for a gym membership you will choose the former. Getting a membership as a gift will give you no excuse to stay home on your bum.

Electronic organizer/blackberry/PDA: Any of these devices can help you stay organized and on top of things in the real world. This will of course make you effortlessly appear mature and professional (even though we all know it’s just a facade).

Money: Yes it’s boring, but this way you can save up for something you really want, or have some extra cash laying around to help pay for “real people” things like credit card bills, rent, insurance and such.

Scrapbook stuff/gift card: Not only is this a creative gift option but it will also give you something to do during the summer. Having a scrapbook with your favorite college pics is a great thing to pull out on those depressed, ‘take me back to freshman year’ days.

Congrats on graduating!