Graduation is a tough time for friendships and relationships, with older friends leaving, or both of you heading different directions.

Although college friendships are more likely to last than high school ones, there is also a good chance they will fade and disappear. There are a few ways to help maintain those relationships despite to miles between you.

First, there’s the obvious texting check-ins. These may not result in long-lasting conversations and will by no means replace the coffee dates that were common practice in college. They will, however, show your friend that you’re thinking about them, and it will put a little smile on their face when they check their phone and see that message from you.

The next level up from that is a Skype call or FaceTime. This gives a little more personal connection and allows you to have longer, more involved conversations. Periodically, I will Skype with my friends from high school, and it can be like we never left. So why not translate that practice to your college friends?

I notice a lot of people I meet here only ever become acquaintances, and I know this is common among many of my peers. There are a handful of people who I would certainly want to keep in touch with, and a Skype call could be the perfect way.

If a screen isn’t enough though, maybe a road trip will be more your style. Gather a few friends together, and then take a trip to see your friend. Be careful to not make the trip too long so as to not impose or cause any tension.

Much in the same vein, you can host some friends at your place for a weekend, but be sure you have enough to do while they’re here and that they don’t stay too long to make you annoyed or stressed. If you’re staying over the summer, that’s a perfect opportunity to have some friends over while you’re not in class. You can take a trip to the river or go for a hike, or just hang out in your apartment and have a few drinks.

A little more of a hands-off method of showing your love is to send care packages. Whether you send food or just some fun little trinkets, taking that time to send some love and let your friends will appreciate that attention and thoughtfulness.

Just a note is enough too, sending a little card to say you love them.

If you’re leaving behind a significant other, things can get a little more complicate. The most important thing to remember is to remind them that you’re thinking about them, and that you still care about their feelings and what’s going on with them.

In person visits are obviously important for your romantic relationships, to keep up that connection and physical relationship.

Graduation is also a great opportunity to sever cuts with people you don’t particularly want to keep in touch with. As bad as it sounds, there are some friendships you mature out of, and graduation is a time to let those friendships disintegrate into the fiery hell your life is burning into as you try to find a job and an apartment so that you don’t end up homeless or in your parent’s basement.

All in all, know who you want to keep in touch with, and do what you need to in order to maintain that relationships.