Summer Fling: a popular warm weather sport played between the months of May and August. An average match lasts 8 to 12 weeks (give or take a few) and involves two people in a commitment-free form of human interaction, sharing prolonged eye contact and tender moments.

During the summer months it’s always fun to have a little adventure. Whether that be traveling to a new destination, cleaning out your closet, and for some, sparking the fire of a quick summer fling.

Summer romances can be a great way to pass time and feel loved for a few months before the bustle of school starts up again. But what do you do if September comes around and your temporary significant other just won’t let go? Is it possible to break off a summer fling without somebody getting hurt?

“If you’re having a summer fling, you should treat it just as that,” explains second year English student Jamie. “You can’t expect anything more from it, it is what it is.”

That being said, if you have somehow managed to land yourself in the predicament of a summer fling that just can’t be flung, there are a few steps that can be taken to cool the hearth of a heat wave love affair.

If at the start of your relationship you let your partner know that you were not ready for a commitment then thumbs up to you, because you’re already one step ahead! When keeping a casual relationship, it is important to let your other half know what you plan on getting out of this arrangement. If you didn’t let them know up front that for you this was just a four month free-for-all, sit down and let them know that quite simply, it would not be a good idea for you to continue your relationship. If need be, bring up all the commitments that you are already tied to come September - school, work, sports, your Sims family, whatever it is that could potentially cause problems when trying to maintain your relationship.

“It’s when people start anticipating something more from the relationship that problems develop. I personally don’t think summer flings are a good idea or that they can last because someone will almost always end up getting hurt,” stated second year Linguistics student Jenna.

No one should be getting hurt in this situation. There should be no need for you to abruptly end the relationship or suddenly start ignoring the person. Take the time to talk through what is going on and slow things down. And when I say slow things down, let’s make this obvious: I mean between the sheets. Give it a week or two and gradually work your sexual encounters down to a glacial pace, making them as few and far between as possible. It will soon become obvious that you aren’t interested anymore or that you just don’t have the time. Don’t suddenly leave them high and dry (so to speak) after four months of a pretty wild schedule; no one likes feeling used.

Summer flings can be fun and manageable, so long as you make sure not to rush into a relationship you aren’t prepared for. Try to keep the commitment light and airy, especially when it’s nearing its natural end. If in a role reversal you are the one having difficulties letting go, try not to take the blow too hard and understand that in most cases summer flings are just that, nothing more. Reminisce about the good times you did have and rethink how you might handle a similar situation next summer.

If you like it, then you shouldn’t put a fling on it.