In high school, relationships are defined by time. It is said that only 5 percent of high school relationships lead to marriage, and it is known that half of all marriages result in divorce. These statics mean that the likely hood you will never break up with your high school sweetheart is about 2.5 percent. That means 97.5 percent of all of us in high school relationships will go through a break up. It happens and we need to know how to do it and get through it.

While I have never had to personally experience a break up yet, I have seen it happen over and over again. As a watchful third party, a late night therapist and Sunday afternoon ice cream provider, I have a pretty good idea of what works and what doesn’t when ending a high school relationship and I am also aware of how to get a person over a break-up as fast as possible.

Breaking up is a last resort, but it is your choice. If you think it is time to end it with your significant other, sit down with yourself and begin to make a list of all the reasons the relationship isn’t working. This will give you a clear visual, and allow you to fully comprehend the situation.

Once you have your list written, rip it up. You are breaking up with someone, not making a business deal. You do not need to keep notes on the topic. The purpose for writing the list was to make yourself aware of the reasons why you are breaking up with your significant other.

Next, when you are level headed call your significant other and plan to meet them, somewhere private and let them know that you need to discuss a serious topic. Don’t plan this meeting weeks in advance, you don’t want to leave them wondering what it will be about and what they did wrong, and if a serious problem occurred that brought up the break up you will want to address that immediately and not leave it on the back burner.

The time for your meeting has arrived, remember to go into it clear minded. Don’t let excess emotions play a role. Begin with a civil greeting and get to the point. Bring up the issues that you have had in the relationship. State them once and don’t say sorry. Be forward, and don’t ease your way around it. They don’t need or want your sympathy, so don’t baby them or try to see if from their point of view. Make it short and quick. End it with a hug and walk away.

After the break up, give them space. Yes, you can still be friends but first allow them a few days to come to terms with the break up.

Break ups are touchy subjects. They are something that no one likes to do, but sometimes it is necessary. Break ups allow you to move on with your life, and sometimes, as high schooler, we need to do just that.