Sidekick syndrome

Win a vacay! Never in the group photo because you're the one stuck holding the camera? Say "cheese." Puh-leeze!
Tired of being Invisible Girl? If you're blending into the scenery, learn to stand out in the crowd!

BREAK THE RULES

All your BFFs wear purple to the pool on Fridays or meet for smoothies on Tuesdays? Occasionally wear green on purple day or say, "Hey, who wants to meet at Taco Bell on Tuesday?" It proves you're an individual, not a carbon copy.

JUST SAY IT

Your BFF takes charge of all the plans? Instead of staying mum, make some noise. She wants to see Shrek the Third, when you'd rather go to Pirates 3? Say so! Scratch that — you're sick of going to the theater. Every. Single. Saturday. You want to knock down some tenpins for a change of pace…so tell her.

EXPRESS YOURSELF

Just as you don't have to go with the flow during chill time, same goes for organized activities. Why join dive team just because a BFF does? It's not your thing, and your lame jackknives will pale in comparison to her perfect-10 swans. Instead, do whatever you excel in.

STEP OUTTA THE CIRCLE

It's totally OK to hang with girls outside your crew. Branching out into different social circles brings out other aspects of your personality. It demonstrates, even if only to yourself, that your identity is not dependent on a certain group of people. You can mix it up, right?

DON'T BE FOOLED

A bud constantly "borrows" clothes she doesn't return, or hits you up for a slice at the snack bar but never treats you to so much as a stick of gum? She may be using you. Do not be relegated to doormat status. Next time your so-called friend asks for a favor, put your foot down and say, "What have you done for me lately?" Don't expect an answer, hut that should make a statement!

BFF DILEMMA

My BFF and I both tried out for the swim team. I made it, but she got cut.

Tell your friend, "I'm sorry you didn't make it. but don't give up! Work hard, and I'm sure you'll make the team next year. No matter what. I will be there supporting you," That should make her feel better and boost her confidence.

— Sarah S., 11

Give her a huge hug, then suggest other ways she can get involved, like joining a recreational swim learn or helping keep stats at meets or being the team manager. Then tell Her she's a great swimmer and give her another hug.

— Annie D., 13

Your friend should understand that it wasn't your decision — it was the coach's. Don't brag about making the team, and try to make her feel included. Offer to help her improve her strokes. Make time to hang and swim with her!

— Dana D., 11

BFF giveaway

TRIPPIN'! What's better than basking on the beach? Having your BFF with you! GL is giving away a two-night vacation for two buds and two parents to TradeWinds Island Resorts in Florida, To enter, write a short essay about why your friend is the best! Send it with your name and address to Just Beachy, GL, 4529 Barford Rd., Baltimore, MD 21214 by July 16. Go to girlslite.com to learn more about the contest, and check out the spot at tradewindsresort.com.

By: Latoya Evans, Girls' Life, Jul 2007

Beat test stress!

Freakin' over finals? Here are five sweet strategies to help you chill — and rock any exam!

You've worked hard this whole school year, plowing through homework, raising your hand In class, scoring extra credit Now the exam's coming down, and your buds keep saying you're so gonna ace ft Truth is, you're terrified you're gonna blow this one — and your semester grade — to smithereens. Yep, even the most well-prepped student can suffer from exam anxiety. Help is here…

DO A REALITY CHECK

You're probably fooling yourself into feeling jittery by setting sky-high expectations. Yeah, it feels great to rack up a top test grade, but pushing to keep up a streak pours on pounds of pressure.

Ask yourself these questions: 1) Am I overreacting — like, will my whole grade really tank if T do less than stellar? And, 2) Do I honestly believe I lack the smarts and strength to handle this test? Whew! Now that you've regained perspective, your nerves should settle.

REVIEW-DON'T OVERDO

It's perfectly normal to assume you should spend each waking second cramming — going over every note you took, analyzing all the words your teacher ever uttered — in short, obsessing. Let's press pause for a minute. Yes, it's crucial to put in solid review time, but it's equally important not to make yourself sweaty over unnecessary details.

Your final exam will likely focus on key concepts, so max out your energy on the material your teacher has gone over the most. Once you know those things inside and out, rewind to the background stuff, like less important dates, little-known names, reeeeeally short Civil War battles. Then, keep this info stashed away underneath your thinking cap. Just In case.

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE

Schedule study sessions strategically. One massive marathon will only make you red-alert anxious. Instead, plan two weeks of, say, 30 minutes to an hour a day. That way, you gradually build the knowledge into your brain.

The night before the test? Reinforce the work you've put in by reading through the material one last time. Then slam those books shut and relax — listen to soothing tunes, play with your pooch, take a yummy vanilla bubble bath. Hit the sack early — studies show a good night's sleep helps you remember what you read once the a.m. rolls around.

And what you chow for breakfast the day of finals will help keep you focused. Carbs boost happy brain chemicals, so eat some whole-wheat toast and fruit.

ROCK STEADY

During the test, keep your nerves in check by carefully reading each question. When you feel sure about an answer, give yourself an inner shout-out — think, "Amazing" or "Got it!"

If you find yourself choking on a question, don't trip up — breathe steadily until it comes to you. Completely stumped? Move on, and go back to it later if there's time. Speaking of… Avoid clock-watching. Glance at it once when you're halfway through the test, and again when you're at the last question.

DON'T WILT WHILE YA WAIT

For many girls, taking a test isn't half as scary as waiting to get it back with a grade. What happens now is out of your hands, so throw yourself into decorating the gym for the end-of-school dance. Stay busy, and you might even forget about it until your report card arrives!

The thing is, you're gonna take tons of tests in your lifetime, and you'll handle each and every exam with increased skill and self-assurance. We give you an A+ for choosing to handle the heat this rime with super self-confidence.

By Lisa Mulcahy, Girls' Life, Jul 2007