So me and my girlfriend have been together for over two years. We've hit some speed bumps and been on and off (most of the time not by choice) for the past two years, and now after we just graduated from the same high school, we're about to head off to college. We were considered to be "high school sweethearts" by most anyone who knew us at the school, and a lot of other couples often looked up to us as sort of role models.

She's attending a junior college close to home, but I'm leaving soon for a university a little over two hours away. We've talked about staying together in college and thinking it would be tough but it could work out. However throughout all of these talks, I've always had the thought of breaking up in the back of my mind. It took me a lot of time and courage to eventually tell her how I feel about maybe breaking up for college and having other experiences. I told her that she's been my only girlfriend and my first everything and I sometimes feel that I would like to have other experiences with girls in my life and I feel like college would be one of my last opportunities seeing as I'm not the most outgoing sort of person and college might be one of the last social environments I live in.

Upon telling her this she said she needed time and eventually talked to me later that night saying that she thinks we should break up. I feel like that's what I've wanted for some time now but after talking about it, the thought of even breaking up hurts more than I ever thought it would. I find myself talking to her going back and forth saying I want experiences but am having such a hard time letting her go that I don't know if I'm actually able to. Its not fair to her and it's gone on for long enough.

I don't feel like I can talk to many family members or friends about it which is why I felt the need to post here. Please just leave me your opinion on the situation and what you think I should do. I feel so confused, and I can only imagine how she is feeling right now. She says she is willing to break up or stay together depending on how I'm feeling which I know isn't right in the first place but I think she is just more confused and heartbroken that I am that the full effect of what I told her hasn't hit her yet.

I just really need some advice from anyone who has gone through something similar to what I am going through now.

You don't have to "break up." Just agree to give each other the space to date others and be social. When you see each other on breaks, you can share adventure tales. During the school year, send each other occasional texts or email or IMs to update each other about classes and profs and cafeteria food. Heck, it worked for my boyfriend and me!

I feel its normal that you want to explore the new world you are going to, and also know how hard it is to cut old ties, and attachments. Its really tough, but a decision has to be made, and stuck to.

I think it best if you intended to be free to explore, make this a clean cut. Maybe she will go along with a break up until semester break, and you agree to catch up, but just me, no strings attached. No promises you can't keep.

I think this is where the honest communications with each other comes in. keep talking until you resolve it between you.

Just be honest about it.

I think college should come first most relationships end do to college and then people meet who they want to be with at college or they just wait get a carear and then focus on finding that someone & sometimes they do & sometimes they do not then try to go back and find the girl they let go and she has moved on. So it is hard but you need to do what is right for you & your future first .

My boyfriend did this to me, and it broke my heart. Although I was hurt, I am very happy for him and that he is able to see the world in a different perspective. Do not hold each other back. I am glad I let him go even if it hurt me I know he will have a great future. Just always have that hope inside that you guys can see each other one day when this is all over. That's what gets you through.