Sometimes I’m wrong. When watching a movie with my roommate I’ll think an actor is in another movie, tell her, make a bet, and then smirk when imdb.com proves me incorrect.

But I always admit when I am mistaken. It’s easy to come out and say “Yup, got that one wrong” when it’s about something simple like filmographies. Relationships, however, aren’t so simple.

Carrie Bradshaw once said, “There is a good way to break up with someone, and it doesn’t include a Post-it.”

When you are in a relationship, standard do’s and don’ts are obvious; do be honest with the person, don’t lie or cheat, etc. But when it comes to ending a relationship, the lines of right and wrong are ambiguous, and there isn’t an obvious answer. Is there ever a good way to break up with someone?

When a couple breaks up – even if it is ugly – I believe there is a decent way to tell the person you’re just not that into them. When the butterflies have died and things just aren’t working out, I believe honesty is the best policy.

Is it easier to just block someone on Facebook and ignore their texts and calls? Absolutely, but easier isn’t always better – or more mature.

We are in college. We live on our own like adults, pay bills like adults, and work like adults. So I think it’s time we break up like, you guessed it, adults.

Every relationship is different, so there isn’t a standard set of rules for romance termination. But one must remember to think of themselves and realize that the person they have been dating deserves an explanation, not a Post-it.

I believe people choose the coward’s way out because usually the breakee asks the tough question of “Why?” And then, if you really care for the person and decide to provide the answer, you hurt their feelings.

It’s not easy to tell your ex-lover to their face the reasons you aren’t interested anymore or why it isn’t working. It’s also not easy to work while taking on a full load of classes, but you do it anyway.

Listing off specific reasons that drove your romance into then ground isn’t always necessary. I’ve found the best way is to relate the break up to yourself and remember what it feels like to be in their shoes.

Avoid cliché lines such as, “It’s not you, it’s me,” and, “Let’s just be friends.” We all know these lines are bulls**t and are equivalent to taking the easy way out.

When you’re the one doing the breaking and your partner is completely oblivious that things have been going south, you are going to feel guilty because – unless you are a sadist – hurting someone’s feeling hurts yours just the same.

But there’s a point where you must put your happiness first, and if it’s not working out, you should think about yourself and do what’s best for you.

Bad news is bad news, and there really isn’t a good way to deliver it. There are respectful ways that differ from person to person, and if you really know your partner, I believe you can find the best method for them.

At the end of the day, both parties are going to be sad, especially if there was a specific reason for the separation other than you just weren’t feeling “it” anymore.

Remember that you deserve to be happy, and staying in a situation you’re no longer enjoying isn’t fair to you either.

So have the uncomfortable breakup conversation, be there for support if needed and take some time for yourself. Nobody gets it right on their first try or even their third or fourth.

If you’re an eternal optimist and believe there is someone for everyone, then you can write off the hurt feelings you inevitably induced as just another step toward finding the people you and your ex are really meant for.

- Samantha Shelton is a senior from Auburn majoring in newspapers and women’s studies.