So I recently got out of a relationship.

And by recently, I mean two months ago. It just feels like it happened yesterday.

Come on, I know you know the feeling. Things appear (or disappear), stuff happens, he keys your friend's car and breaks a few windows, and (who'd have thought!) it's somehow like you're right back to the initial fight or the "This isn't working out" conversation.

Yes, my ex-boyfriend and I don't get along.

However, (at least thus far), we've managed to keep the cops out of the situation, which at this point I consider to be a partial success.

But this is just an example of one of those bad break-ups.

In the good ones, you're both still friends, you both can hang out with the same people, and maybe even make out without it being weird or having to partake in an awkward "What the hell just happened; does this mean I have to buy you a meal?" chat.

My first ex-boyfriend of almost six years ago is still one of my closest friends.

I remember that we broke up in the summer too.

Something about the summer and fall is just not conducive to committed relationships because most people either break up before the break starts, or the new school year begins.

Winter is cold and depressing and, naturally, you want someone for that nighttime body heat, and by the time spring rolls around you're so happy it's not 20 below zero that you look at your significant other and think, "Eh, could be worse."

The funny part is that sometimes, the break-up is planned ahead anyway.

One of you is imagining that you both are going to be together for a long time, and the other, while nodding and smiling, thinks, "Well ... at least until May."

Is this cruel?

Yes and no.

Playing with someone's emotions is bad.

But hey, you've got to plan for the future and have goals and all that stuff, right?

Of course, break-ups aren't always planned. Couples split for things all over the spectrum, from extremely serious stuff like you're-an-alcoholic-and-you-need-serious-help type break-up, or someone lying and cheating, to Seinfeld-esque separation over the fact that you cannot stand his snoring and the confounded need to eat beans and cheese all the freaking time.

And then again, maybe nothing happened. Things do just fall apart.

What I do realize now about relationships is that college is absolutely the grandest forum for them all.

It's a fact that after our stint here at Penn State is complete, our ability to find that perfect mate will become exponentially difficult the more time since college passes.

My parents, like so many of my other friend's parents, met in college.

Where can you meet people in the real world?

I don't want to be telling my kids one day, "How did your father and I meet? Well, sweetie, one night a few years back I was at this raunchy thirty-year-old singles' bar..."

It's strange but true to think that someone in your class or in your club could very well be, 15 years down the road, waking up in your bed every single day, changing your babies' diapers and planning the family vacation to Florida.

It's strange, it's true, and it's also a little scary.

Which brings me back to the topic of break-ups.

There's no manual to dating; it's essentially trial and error.

Separation can be bad, and it can be good, but no matter the nature or degree, it always signals a fresh start.

So maybe it's a good idea to be on the hunt for that lifelong partner.

Frankly, however, I'm currently more in the school of playing the field.

Ever since I've been in college I've had a boyfriend.

This year will be different.

As far as I'm concerned, relationships were so last summer.