i was in a long distance relationship through a good chunk of high school and now i've gotten myself into another one here in college. while the first one was very similar (we were 40 minutes away but couldn't really get to each other) my current relationship is a little different, but i think they both offer something to tell you.
my first relationship ended on a terrible note, we "took a break" for a few weeks and just never got back together, i realized (after quite a while) that i never really loved her and that it should have ended a lot sooner. check your case, if you're in one of these situations, don't let yourself stay in it. you don't deserve all the repercussions, no one does, they suck.
my current relationship makes me extremely happy, and i don't know if it relates too well with yours, but we have one thing in common (i think). you two probably spent the better part of the summer together (as we did) and now, even though you're only 20 minutes away, you might as well be on opposite sides of the country (as we are). theres a couple ways to look at this; you can either a) set apart some time to be with each other/talk on a daily/bi-daily basis (anything less can put a significant deal of stress on the communication situation) or b) do stuff you would do if you were on opposite sides of the country...
ok, now this might sound a little, well, ridiculous, but don't be afraid to send her a handwritten letter, or a package, or plan a trip together for a time when you can get away. bring the "puppy love" back into the relationship and let her know where you want it to go.
if your reasons for being with your girlfriend are better than your reasons for going to school, then by all means, make it work. if you see yourself going to school so that you can support and care for your girlfriend in the future, make it work. but, if you don't see this going anywhere, i can tell you from experience, it won't go anywhere. the only thing i can really tell you, other than offering up some of my experiences, is that you can make it work.
eat dessert. good luck.
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