lost distance help

Abbie • 🇬🇧🇦🇺
My boyfriend and I have been together for 3 1/2 years and he's moving a 3 hour plane flight away for university and it's a 3 year course. 
Neither of us have the financial ability to visit each other regularly
We've been told not to bother as long distance never works but we're going to give it a try... what are some ways to keep it going strong...