Distance can be defined as a “numerical description of how far apart objects are”. Distance relationships, however, can be defined as a “numerical description of how far love will go”. As the closing of the semester draws ever closer, many of you will enter in a relationship that will expand in miles. My last article of the semester will tackle the challenges of long-distance relationships and how you can ensure that the relationship will stay intact.

Confidence. Being confident in ANY relationship is not only a turn-on, but a vital structure. In a distance relationship, starting off the summer questioning whether or not it’ll endure the distance is negative. Positive emotions from the get-go will damper the criticism and hesitance to terminate the relationship prematurely.

Communication. Love and relationships are more than a physical attraction. Especially in distance relationships, communication is the very foundation every relationship needs. For example, sending a “good morning” text, calling after they get off work to see how their day was or leaving a “just saying hi” voicemail will build upon that foundation.

Travel. Finding ways to spice up a distance relationship may be difficult but hardly impossible. Traveling unexpectedly to their hometown will bolster that physical need and also that emotional need. Being unpredictable is attractive, so take that trip. If your significant other lives several hours away, find a way to meet halfway. Doing and seeing new things together creates a romantic atmosphere for both.

Emily Kimbrough once said, “Remember, we all stumble, every one of us.

Dear Doc Love: I have been seeing my girlfriend for a little over six months. Our relationship started off great! Recently, though, it seems as though she is not interested anymore. She shuts herself out when I want to talk, and she seems isolated. Doc Love, what is wrong? Is this a sign she wants to break up? Please help.

Sincerely, Anonymous.

Dear reader: Breaking up, as I have stated in past articles, is one of the most stressful and draining encounters anyone goes through. However, there are indeed ‘red flag’ warnings that may tip you off to your significant other’s thinking. Although many relationship failures can be predicted, there are a few that simply catch you off guard. Below are a few tips that may signal a breakup.

Disappearing act. In extended relationships, personal items start inheriting a significant other’s place. For example, she may leave a few pairs of clothes at your place, a set of shoes, coats or any other personal items. The first sign that she may be breaking up is the slow removal of items from your place, so she has nothing to go back for once she breaks up with you.

No fighting. Although a constant barrage of fighting may signal a break up, the lack of fighting is cause for alarm, as well. There are things that “trip our trigger” that we occasionally fight about. For example: not taking out the garbage, forgetting to call when we are late or cancelling plans. If she is uncommonly calm about things that would normally upset her, this is the second warning sign.

Silent treatment. In most relationships, her friends become your friends and vice versa. If you have always been on good terms with her friends, take notice of their conversational patterns. Have they limited the time they talk to you? Have they completely isolated you? The fact is most likely, your girlfriend has talked to her friends about breaking up. Unconsciously or consciously, they are distancing themselves because they know her end result. This is the classic and most common warning sign.

If any of these warning signs occur, take precaution. However, if all of them are occurring, take action. Almost every break up has precursors, but they do not have to be blind.

Join the 100 plus members of the “Doctor Love” fan page on Facebook. There, I’ll be able to answer your questions frequently, as well as send notifications on my next article! Don’t have Facebook? You can find me on Twitter, as well! Remember: I’m here for YOU! This is Doctor Love, and I’m signing off.

According to a 2004 American Psychological Association survey, 73 percent of Americans named money as the number one factor that affects their stress level. As a college student, I understand the student loans, living month to month and the minimal amount of “green” in the checkbook. However, a few helpful tips from “Doctor Love” will have you spending less and enjoying more with your significant other.

Cutting back is the first tip in solidifying your love life during a troubled economy. Taking your girlfriend or boyfriend out for a fancy dinner a few times a week? This does not mean sharing a TV dinner. Cut back by creating a romantic at-home dinner for two. Spice up the dinner table with a few lit candles, play soft music in the background and enjoy your partner’s favorite meal. Not only is this more romantic than eating out, it is guaranteed to ease the burden on your checkbook.

Being creative is the second tip on my bailout-proof relationship guide. Stop spending your hard-earned dollars at the movies, driving around or even bowling. Add adventure by taking a walk under the stars, biking a trail or planning a camping trip for two by a lake. Not only are these creative ways to increase your partner’s interest level, but they hardly break the back of your piggy bank.

Minimizing your stress is my third tip to prolonging your relationship. Stress and miscommunication are the two key factors that can ultimately end a relationship. With money tight, your stress level peaks to an all-time high. To avoid a relationship collapse, understand where your stress stems from and avoid compounding your problems on your significant other. Eliminating the “blame game,” opening lines of communication, practicing stress relievers and solving monetary problems together will ensure that your relationship stays intact.

Just being together is my fourth and final tip for fighting a tough economy and minimizing stress. Understanding each other and enjoying the company of one another is crucial to any successful relationship. A relationship needs communication and honesty, not monetary value. Take time to listen to each other’s problems and tackle them together. Calling your boyfriend or girlfriend and simply asking how their day went is more important and compassionate than throwing money at a relationship.

The economy may be in turmoil, but your relationship does not have to be. By simply following and understanding these four concepts, I assure you your relationship and appreciation for one another will expand without breaking your bank account. This is Doc Love, and I am signing off.

Throughout a student’s collegiate career, successes and failures are bound to occur. Perhaps it’s failing a class, passing a class, getting that apartment you’ve been looking at since the day you moved here or the depressing realization that your textbooks were more expensive than you first realized. However, outside of this collegiate experience, comes the natural turbulence of dating. We may find ourselves basking in the light of relationships that seem forever and sulk in those that seem to end too abruptly.

I’m “Doctor Love,” and I’ve shared your pain and light. I’ve been through the ups, and I know, for a fact, I’ve been through the downs. At one time or another, everyone encounters the trials of dating. Consequently, you may feel as though you are “alone” in the fight to maintain or the fight to look past a relationship. Too many times I’ve heard, “If only I had someone to talk to,” or “If only I had someone to listen.” Readers with a broken heart, I want to be that outlet.

In order for you to be comfortable sharing a portion of your life with me, I first want to introduce myself. I’m Tyler Luckhurst, and I’m in my third year here at SDSU. I started off as a political science major but found that career as more of a hobby rather than a lifestyle. By the end of my second year, I changed my major to psychology, with an emphasis on marriage/relationship counseling. I chose this path because I want to give people an opportunity to talk with someone, share their problems and be their outlet.

The nickname “Doctor Love” originated from a group of my close friends routinely seeing me in our old, blue recliner in our living room. More often than not, I sit in that old recliner, listening to a close friend on the phone who is trying to salvage a relationship or build the foundation for a relationship or providing that moral support after a complex break-up.

For example, a male friend of mine, we’ll leave the name anonymous, went through a very difficult time in his relationship. At the beginning, the relationship seemed “perfect.” They had numerous things in common, made each other laugh and simply loved to be in each other’s company.

Over the course of time, they both grew deeper in the relationship, but she always felt uncomfortable sharing her past relationships with him. The roadblocks of their communication was almost the very “straw that broke the camel’s back.” Being one of his closest friends, I offered him this advice: when building and maintaining the foundations of a relationship, the building blocks of communication must always stay in tact. In order for someone to share anything personal, you need to provide a level of comfort. You cannot smother or push someone into submission. The more comfortable they are, the more willing they will be to open up and trust you.

It’s my hope that you’re comfortable in taking this opportunity to e-mail me your questions at: doclove2009@hotmail.com. Your questions should be targeted towards a current relationship issue, how to deal with a breakup, etc. I promise to respond to all of your questions via e-mail, but I will choose particular questions to post in my column, names remaining anonymous, that a larger part of the population may encounter. Ronald Anthony once said, “When we truly realize that we are all alone is when we need others the most.”