Teen relationship trouble

Ik it may seem insignificant bc I’m (17m) so young but I’m so lost. My gf(17gf) broke up with me a few days ago but says I was great bf and we’ve discussed how we both felt about the relationship and what we think a relationship should be. Nonetheless, she says she needs space to grow as a person which I’m completely fine with; but I will be going to a college that’s 3-4 hrs away for quite a few years. 4 for college and 4 for med school in the same area. But I still want to be with her even if that means I have to be patient and keep my distance but it seems like she doesn’t want me to wait for her. It seems like she still wants the relationship but wants to take time to learn about herself and what she wants in life and a relationship. And while I do want to wait for her ik it’s unhealthy. I feel like I should take the opportunity to experience other relationships and see if there’s someone more suitable but I don’t want to let go of our relationship and not have a chance to get back together. While it sounds weird our relationship wasn’t perfect but I was content with that. Nothing is ever “perfect” and that’s what I feel that love should be. However if I do hold on to our relationship it wouldn’t be fair to anyone girl that I might get with and I would feel wrong for even thinking about another relationship.