Stay friends or cut contact?

There is a girl in my uni that I have a crush on. The problem is that she has a boyfriend so asking her out is pointless. We've been friends for almost 6 months now but I can't go on any further. It just pains me that all I am to her is a friend and that hanging out with her only makes me like her more. Additionally, she knows I like her even though I haven't said anything to her, she has subtly told me on several occasions.

I will graduate soon and she has hinted in the past few weeks that she would want to stay friends. The fact that she is so comfortable and open around me when we are alone are the signs that this is a true friendship. It hurts me because this true friendship is one that only she is comfortable of being in.

I wouldn't say that we message each other often, but when I do these feelings come back and I'm back to square one where I had tried to get rid of these feelings.

So I guess I have two options really.. Stay as friends and have to deal with these feelings for her until I get a girlfriend myself (who knows how long that would take) or cut contact for good after graduation and never have to worry about her again.

But of a dilemma, what's the best route out?

That's a difficult one and there's no right answer. But if staying friends is just going to make things harder, I'd cut contact personally.

Keep the option of friendship open. Friendships can evolve over time, from anything like a relationship to a deepening that will lead to great fulfillment even if you are with other partners. As you get out of university, you will find it more difficult to make friends - it requires time and commitment to build history and trust and modern life is busy.

When I was at uni, there was a girl I thought would be the perfect partner for me. We were intermittent lovers, never seeming to get into an exclusive relationship, though she remained my imagined ideal. It was painful and she hung in the background over every other relationship I had into my mid-20s. Over time, and our late failed attempt to really build a relationship, we have remained soul mates in this wonderful sympathy for each other. It's had its ups and downs, but she is someone I can love and talk with, alongside what has been a very good marriage to someone else. This friendship is priceless, at least for me, and will last as long as we live.

I am not saying yours would be that way, but it appears to have the potential to be. My advice is, don't lose it.

Personally I wouldn't, I've been through what you're going through and it's not wise to cut your platonic relationship just because you want to get over them (my opinion).

My crush for the girl lasted 8-9 months so if you want an alternative for cutting loose then this is it; endurance. If this is too hard then tell her (or not) and avoid her till you lose those feelings for her.