While most incoming freshmen have left their beds, their old sneakers and their dogs behind, some students have left something else behind as well √É¢’ a broken relationship.

Breaking up with your significant other before college is commonplace. How else are you going to explore and get to know yourself? But like all breakups, getting over it can be difficult.

J. Thomas Cousins, Ph.D., clinical director of the University Counseling Center, has been part of Binghamton University for years and has seen his fair share of heartache.

According to Cousins, one needs to remember that there are two sides to every breakup and how to deal may be different.

“If the person is doing the breaking up, there may not be much they have to do,” Cousins said. “For the person who may have been surprised, there’s a grieving period and they need to allow time for that.”

This means don’t rush to try and find your next beau or girlfriend, just allow yourself room to breathe.

While some think that it may be harder to get over someone while in a completely different environment, Cousins thinks otherwise. A change of scenery can prevent you from driving past your favorite hangout from when you were a couple, or other places filled with memories.

“There will always be tears, but sometimes coming to school helps because it gets you out of the situation that you’ve left behind,” Cousins said.

Making friends and keeping busy can serve as excellent and healthy distractions, and it’s important to remember why you came to Binghamton in the first place.