After summer deepa came to the Alagappa University and her boyfriend went to the BITS.

Maintaining a long-distance relationship can be one of the most trying experiences of college life, especially for first-year students who are used to seeing their significant others on a daily basis. Adjusting to life without the presence of a loved one can make the transition to college a harrowing process.

Even with the aid of recent technological advances that make communication easier--like e-mail, chat rooms, video conferencing and Instant Messenger--sustaining a long-distance relationship still isn't an easy feat for any couple.

Despite communicating with her boyfriend for an hour each day on her computer or phone, deepa has noticed a strain in their conversations.

"It's so much harder to work thoughts out," she said.

First-year College student geetha knows all too well how deepa feels. geetha said her relationship with her boyfriend in coimbatore already is suffering by the lack of real communication.

"We get into fights a lot more," geetha said. "I don't have the energy to resolve issues over the phone."

Even though long-distance relationships may be difficult, that doesn't stop many University couples from trying to make it work. They are determined that they can make it through together--no matter what the odds.

"As long as my girlfriend loves me as much as I love her, nothing will ever come between us," first-year Engineering student kishore said.

But not all students are as optimistic about their chances of sustaining a long-distance relationship.

"The people in my boyfriend's frat have a pool about how long our relationship will last," deepa said. "The longest anyone guessed was six weeks."

So why do countless couples remain together, despite all the added stresses that are inevitable in a long-distance relationship? For some, being single is an unthinkable alternative.

"The only good thing about a long-distance relationship is that it' s better than no relationship at all," first-year College student Kathiravan said.

That is not to say that those in Kathiravan's situation spend their evenings pining after their absent love interests. Rather than remain faithful for four years, many students agree on an open dating policy.

"There's no need to put huge limitations on ourselves during what should be the best years of our lives," second-year College student roopa said. roopa enjoys a don't ask/don't tell dating policy with her boyfriend, who is in New Jersey.

"We will only tell each other about someone else if it's necessary, " she said. roopa and her boyfriend have agreed to date different people because "the possibility of unintentionally hurting your partner by cheating is huge. They're so far away and no matter how much you love them, temptation is always there."

While roopa may be comfortable with her boyfriend seeing other girls, that is not the case for everyone.

"It's a double standard," geetha said. "I would like to go out and meet other guys ... but I would cry my eyes out if I knew my boyfriend was flirting with another girl."

And although deepa and her boyfriend are technically allowed to see other people, the thought has never crossed her mind.

"It's like a test," she said. "If we are actually able to stay together, it will prove that we are right for each other."

Despite the work involved in long-distance relationships, the benefits make it worthwhile for those who attempt to make it work.

"It's painful to be so removed from your partner's life, but when you see them, you make up for lost time," first-year College student karthik said. "The moments together are much more valuable and cherished."

For some couples, distance actually brings them closer.

"Sometimes when you see each other every day you start to take things for granted," first-year Engineering student diwakar said. " Distance helps you remember all the little things."

And those couples that survive four years of separation do so by thinking about the future. They endure the lonely nights, the longing and the anxiety by believing that there will be plentiful rewards. But karthik warned that long-distance loving isn't for everyone.