After seeing each other daily in State College, seniors Autumn Strass and Andy Niggles will have to settle for seeing each other in a different way over the summer: Through a computer screen.

The couple said that though being in different locations over the summer can be difficult, it's easy for them to feel close through phone calls and using Skype, an online calling service that can incorporate a Web camera.

Making a relationship work while at college takes a lot of effort. Keeping the relationship going strong over the summer, while you are miles apart, can be even worse. Niggles (senior-business and economics) and Strass (senior-public relations) can attest to this. They have been dating for four and a half years and have spent most of their summers apart from one another.

"The most important thing is to be aware that the other person might not want to talk to you at the same time that you want to," Niggles said.

The couple will be separated this summer when Strass leaves for an internship in Michigan and Niggles works in Maryland.

The Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) sees many students around this time of year who are concerned about whether their relationship will survive summer separation and how often they will get to see their partner, said Mary Anne Knapp, a clinical social worker for CAPS.

"It can be hard to handle prolonged separations, and many relationships won't make it through the summer, but it is possible," Knapp said.

Allison Lancos (junior-industrial engineering) and David Stunja (junior-industrial engineering) have also grown accustomed to spending their summers apart. Lancos is from New Jersey and Stunja spends his summers in Houston. The couple said that over past summers, frequent e-mails and phone calls have kept them connected.

"We make it work by calling each other on the way to work, home from work and after seven or nine when it's free," Lancos said.

The couple admitted spending so much time together while at college makes it hard to be apart.

"We're in the same major and together nonstop for six months, so it's almost like this break is needed from each other sometimes," Stunja said.

Communicating about summer expectations, planning when you can get together and making sure you will be busy while away from each other are keys to making long distance relationships last over the summer, Knapp said.

Janelle Wenger (freshman-human development and family studies) and Brett Bauer (freshman-accounting) have only been together for two months but will spend this summer in different states.

Because they spend so much time with each other at school, the couple agrees that this time apart will be helpful in seeing if they really should be together.

"It will be good because we haven't really been apart since we've gone out," Bauer said, "so this will be a test for our relationship."