Reading Week. March Break. Spring Break. Whatever you call it, students across the country get a week off school every year around this time. The thought of having an entire week with no school to keep you busy can be a daunting thought when you're in a long distance relationship, but I've come up with some solutions for you. Here are my tips for a happy, relaxing Spring Break, even if you can't be with your loved one:

- Plan phone dates. With all that free time on your hands, you are much more flexible to have nice, long phone dates with your partner. Plan to have some quality couple time on the phone at least every other day over Spring Break. With no school to keep you occupied, you will be free to focus both your thoughts and your time on strengthening your relationship or reconnecting if you've been too busy to talk much lately.

- Plan other long distance dates. You can still have a movie date even if you're not physically sitting beside each other. Simply pick which movie you want to watch, rent a copy for each of you and start watching at exactly the same time. Text or talk on the phone throughout and it will be just like you're sitting in the same room watching it together. If you don't like interruptions during movies, like myself, wait until after the movie's over to talk. Either way, you will be have lots to talk about and doing the same thing at the same time will leave you feeling more connected.

- Take time for yourself. I know this is something that I suggest for the day-to-day stuff too, but when you have so much free time, it is even more important than usual to take time for you. Get a manicure, watch a movie that you've been dying to see, pig out on junk food or do whatever it is that you enjoy most.

There is one last piece of advice I have to give you for Spring Break: if you can, plan a visit with your paramour. If you have to, slum it. Stay in the cheapest hotel (that you can still feel safe in), pack peanut butter sandwiches to eat for your entire trip and do nothing but see the cheap (or free) sights in the city. It will be so worth it to scrimp on the luxuries if you get to spend some time with your partner.

Either way, whether you're lucky enough to visit your significant other or not, I hope each and every one of you has an awesome Spring Break!