Finding a healthy, individualized approach to fostering independence for college students? [18m] [19m]

Hi, I (M18) and my partner (M19) have been discussing the codependency in our relationship, which we've come to realize is affecting our academic performance and mental well-being. As both of us are engineering students, we signed up for the same classes and have spent nearly all of our time together during the past six months. However, we've acknowledged that we need to cultivate some independence in our interests to ensure our relationship can thrive in the long run. While we understand this need for change, we feel that trying to establish strict "solutions," like limiting our time together or scheduling separate activities, could lead to an unhealthy dynamic. We both find that approach uncomfortable and immediately sensed that it wouldn't be good for either of us. Looking ahead to next semester, we'll have more classes tailored to our specific engineering fields, which should help. In the meantime, we’re eager to explore ways to encourage independence without it feeling toxic or negative. What suggestions do you have for fostering this independence in a healthy manner?