Breaking up is hard, but if it’s time to end a relationship, do it cleanly and calmly. Explain your feelings and talk them out. If you don’t get a mature reaction, take the high road; don’t join someone else in the mud. If you decide to reunite after a trial separation, be sure that enough time has passed for you to evaluate the situation effectively. If things fail a second time, you might need to move on.
Write and Reflect
On the basis of your experience or the experience of someone close to you, write a journal entry with advice that you would give a student who is dealing with a breakup.
If your partner breaks up with you, you might find yourself sad, angry, or even depressed. If your partner breaks up with you online or you learn about an imminent breakup through instant messaging, social networking Web sites, or blog postings, ask to discuss the matter over the phone or in person. Almost everyone has been rejected or “dumped” at one time or another. Let some time pass, be open to emotional support from your friends and your family, and, if necessary, pay a visit to your college counselor or a chaplain. These skilled professionals have assisted many students through similar experiences, and they can be there for you as well. Bookstores and your library will also have good information on the topic of surviving a breakup.