4. If Max decides to pursue college classes in the fall, what suggestions for maintaining contact in long-distance relationships might be applied to this couple?

When you’ve watched the video online, critique and analyze this encounter based on the principles you learned in this chapter. Then compare your work with the author’s suggested responses. Online, even more videos will let you continue the conversation with your instructor.
Max and Tara are preparing dinner together. Max has just finished a certificate program at college and informed Tara that he’s thinking about continuing coursework in the fall for a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Tara: If you’re keeping your project management job, why would you need a bachelor’s in engineering? You’re not an engineer.
Max: Not now anyway. But I think I might like to be one.
Tara: When did this happen?
Max: Since taking these classes. I didn’t realize how interesting it is. Sometimes I get really bored at my job and I think about trying something else.
Tara: So our life is boring now?
Max: I didn’t say that. I said my job can be boring.
Tara: Mine can too—do you think I enjoy updating charts all day? That’s how jobs are. But I still want to see you at night.
Max: It’s not about us.
Tara: How is this not about us if you’re deciding to spend four nights a week in classes instead of with me?
And how are we going to afford classes? Your job isn’t going to pay for this.
Max: No, it won’t. The money will be an issue to discuss.
But I’m pretty sure I can get some grants. And we’ll figure out how to make more time for us—maybe do more lunches together during the week? Our jobs aren’t that far apart.
Tara: I’m just confused. I thought we liked our life the way it is. Now it seems like you want to be someone else. Is this not enough for you anymore? Now you need to be some big man on campus?
Max: I love our life. And I’d hardly be the big man on campus. I know this was a lot for me to throw at you. I just wanted to tell you what I was thinking—we can keep talking about it. I’m not doing anything without you. And I certainly don’t want to be someone new. Maybe just someone with a new job. Ok?
Tara: Ok. I guess there are ways to make this work if it’s what you really want. I just hope you won’t think less of me once you’re a big college man.
Max: You’re better at your job than any college man or woman could ever be. I respect that.