<human>: My girlfriend and I have always been perfect for each other. We have tons of fun together and we have both told each other many times how we both want to spend our lives together. She is away at college about 3 hours away and I am home going to college. This is our second year in college so long distance hasn't really caused any problems. 

Lately, she has been getting a little distant. When we have been together, she hasn't really been herself and we went from having crazy, passionate sex all the time, to her seeming like she doesn't ever feel like doing anything with me. 

I have been getting frustrated so I finally brought it up the other day and asked her what's been going on. She told me that she still loves me and she can still see herself having a future with me but she just isn't sure if she wants to be in a relationship right now. She told me there aren't any other guys and I believe her but she is a very attractive girl and I know she gets a lot of attention. She said she thinks that we should both go and have some fun on our own and stay really close friends.

 Both of us were really upset but I do kind of feel like it's a good idea to try meeting other people especially because we are both each others first love and first sexual partner. While I see how this could be a good thing, I can't help but feel depressed because we both still love each other and this is going to hurt both of us for a while.
 We have also talked about being friends with benefits and right now it looks like that is how it's going to be.

 I guess I am just looking for people who have been through something similar and for any advice on how to handle this, how to act, and wheter or not friends with benefits is a good idea.

Can you give me the gist of the text in a nutshell?
<bot>: my girlfriend and I have decided to break up so that we don't regret staying together later on. Need advice on how to handle it, how to act, and whether or not friends with benefits is a good idea