You asked:

I’m really going to miss my college friends over the summer. What are the best ways to stay in touch?

Being away from friends for long periods of time is all part of being a college student. When you’re at home, you miss school friends; when you’re at school, you miss home friends. My best advice is to make solid plans now. Nonspecific promises of “I’ll call you” rarely work. It's easy to get distracted once you’re settled back home, so whether it's an agreement to visit some far-off locale complete with hotel reservations or just a pact to write or call, nail it down early. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch:

• Plan visits to each other’s hometowns if your parents are OK with it. Even if you’re not geographically close, it’ll cut down on spending since you won’t have to worry about hotel accommodations, rental cars, dining out and other travel expenses that pile up.
• Meet somewhere in the middle and share expenses once you get there. One room with two double beds is tons cheaper than two rooms with queen beds. If you book a place with a kitchenette, you can prepare your own meals to further reduce costs.
• Send spontaneous “thinking of you” cards or letters -- it costs a mere 42 cents to snail mail. If you really want to show someone you miss her, send a little gift, like a framed photo of you two from school or a small souvenir from somewhere you’ve visited over the summer. Every college student loves to get mail!
• Stay connected online through Facebook, email, IM and Skype. Whenever I’m bored at home, you’ll find me on my computer, likely chatting with several friends from school.
• And don’t forget that wonderful invention called the phone, one of the best ways to stay in touch. Make an agreement with your best college buddy to set aside a half hour, say, every even-numbered Tuesday for a chat to catch up. And if you have unlimited texting on your cell, you can always shoot the occasional quick shout-out!

Name: Liz Cruger
School: College of William and Mary
Year: Senior
Major: Psychology and English lit
Her deal: This is Liz’s second year as an R.A. for freshmen. She is also involved in several campus activities, including pep band and the belly dance club.

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