The 1960s hit “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” isn’t just a pop song by Neil Sedaka, it’s the unpleasant truth. Ending a relationship of five months or five years is never easy. There is always frustration, hurt, disappointment and is an overall unpleasant situation for both parties.

For whatever reason the split is occurring, it is important to remember to keep your cool. Regardless of how much you’ve devoted, no matter how many charming things you’ve done, if you end things on a bad note, that is how you will be remembered.

Think about it, breaking up is the final thing you will do as a couple. If it’s nasty, it will be the first thing he or she will think of whenever the thought of you comes up. Here are a few stories from college students of horrible break-up tactics that should be avoided.

Look at the Signs

“In high school I was dating this guy I really liked. One day in the hall way he pointed at me, pointed at himself, crossed his fingers, used his hand to do kind of a roller coaster signal, then gave me a little smirk. I thought it was some cute little sign about us being together. He refused to tell me what it meant all day. Later that day I finally found out that crossing your fingers as he did meant ‘are’ and put the pieces together,” said Ashley Shaw, sophomore at University of Northern Iowa.

Social Status

“My best friend was dating this guy she was head over heals for. One day he texted her and told her to look at Facebook. She got on Facebook to find out that her boyfriend had changed his relationship status to single without any notice to her. Talk about immature,” said Shelby Ripperger, freshman at Buena Vista University.

Game Over

“One night one of my good buddies was at my place. His girlfriend called freaking out telling him to come home. He told me that when he got home she was crying and packing her stuff. She asked him if he wanted her to leave, He replied by helping her pack,” said Roman Ott, student at North Iowa Area Community College.