That was a brave and very mature decision they have taken sharon,And from personal experience long distance relationships very rarely last.
If the feelings for each other are sooo strong 3 years will fly by and they will end up back together again.
Uni really is for enjoying yourself and time spent worrying and wondering what the other is doing is no way to spend 3 years of the most exciting time of your young life I hope all works out well for them both and as corny as this may sound “Time is a great healer”.