Positive Impact

My mom always told me that if someone isn't having a positive impact on your life, then maybe they shouldn't be in your life. Recently, I have taken this to heart and made some changes in my life. I just turned 20. It is officially time to grow up.
Freshman year of college is always hard because friends you thought you'd have forever begin to change and you drift apart from them. It also becomes hard to remain close to your friends that are still in high school because the minute you enter college, you are at a completely different maturity level. Freshman year feels like the floor is falling from beneath you.
Then comes Sophomore year. I have found the people that I feel have a positive impact on my life. I know who I get along with and who I don't. Then comes the important part: do you have a positive impact on others' lives? The immediate answer would be "Yeah! Of course! I have a great relationship with everyone in my life!" But then you have to step back and really think about it. Do you take the people closest to you for granted? Do you realize how you are treating them? Do you ask them how they are and legitimately listen to their answer before diving into your problems?
I think that the main hurdle during Sophomore year is to keep those close to you. Now that you have found those that you get along with and that you truly care about, you have to make sure that you don't forget those that were there for you the whole time. Replacement is not the answer. People that were there for you at the beginning and who are still there should not be put on the back burner for new friends. Balance is key. Love is key.