When people take on a new endeavor in life, it often requires big changes in their living circumstances. In my case, moving to the St. Petersburg area necessitated a long distance relationship with my fiancé, Sarah. While I knew this was a necessary sacrifice for the short term, it didn’t help the time apart pass by any more quickly. Throughout my first year of school, we did try to visit each other as much as possible, but with the demands of both my schooling and her job, in addition to the travel time, it was very difficult. I got into a routine, and during each trimester I had a lot of time to dedicate to my classes. When Sarah was finally offered and accepted a job nearby and was able to move in with me, I was elated. I think everyone can attest to how incredible it feels to be able to see the people you love each and every single day. However, this did pose a new challenge. How would I continue to set aside enough time for studying and maintain my academic performance while balancing my ability to be a good partner and spend quality time with the woman I love?

I  think the first thing to acknowledge right off the bat is how supportive Sarah has always been of my academic career. She has always wanted what is best for me as well as our future together. This is the very reason that once she moved here, I wanted to do everything in my power to make our time together special, despite not always being able to go out and do things in lieu of studying. Here are a few meaningful ways I have found to help balance school and home life.

One of the largest and likely overlooked acts of intimacy for busy people cohabitating is not the grand gestures, but the little efforts we make daily. It is important to me to do everything possible to make Sarah’s life easier. Doing simple tasks like washing the dishes, taking out the trash, or leaving her our reserved parking spot make a substantial difference. Additionally, cooking dinner or packing a lunch are other ways to let your significant other know you were thinking about them. While these are simple chores we all have to do, when you live with someone, they become even more important as they show consideration and thoughtfulness. Taking care of household responsibilities is part of showing you care for the other person’s well-being

Spending quality time together can often be one of the hardest things to do when youlead busy lives. We all get caught up in hectic weeks, especially around exams or work deadlines, but I never want to feel like I’m ignoring Sarah, or for her to feel that I’m too busy for her. One of our favorite nightly routines is taking walks around the block after dinner. This is a healthy activity that helps us get in exercise, unwind and digest while enjoying each other’s company. I cherish this special time together and the opportunity it provides for conversation.

NUHS offers students different avenues of support to help them meet the challenges of academic and everyday life. Check out Student Support Services here.