How to be Smarter: When you stop having fun, get out. This applies to jobs, relationships, and shopping trips. 

How to be Smarter: If you really want to do something, whether it be updating your blog or going for a run, write it in your planner so you have the constant reminder all day and once you do it, its one more thing to cross off your to-do list (everyone loves that feeling….)

How to be Smarter: Paint your nails with light colors so chipping isn’t as obvious.

How to be Smarter: Everyone is loving fmylife.com these days; be the first kid on the new bandwagon, textsfromlastnight.com.

How to be Prettier: Hair off your face and out of your eyes for all job interviews; a well-placed bobby pin is your friend here.

How to be (less) Awkward: No crying at work. No exceptions. If you feel the tears coming, take a walk to the Starbucks and chill for ten minutes. Never let one tear fall in your place of employment.

How to be Smarter: As Rihanna sings, “In anticipation for the precipitation/Stack chips for a rainy day.” Clouds can come from anywhere so build those networking contacts, financial reserves, and your mental toughness up now.

How to be Prettier: Slate gray is the color of nail polish for spring. I know this is true because every style icon I see has this color on her nails.

How to be (less) Awkward: Everyone has people they admire and emulate to be like. To get pumped up before a big speech or interview, watch youTube clips of people you think are intelligent and well-spoken. It will rub off on you!

How to be Smarter: Make it a life goal to read it as many Complete Idiot’s Guide To…’s as you can. They are cheap, detailed, and they have them on almost any topic you could be interested in learning more about.

How to be Prettier: Hard-boiled eggs are one of the most inexpensive sources of protein you can find and are incredibly good for you; they are also a weight loss food.

How to be (less) Awkward: Ninety percent of the time, when someone starts a sentence with “I’m really worried about (insert person’s name here),” all they want to do is gossip about them. Don’t be fooled by rumour disguised as sweet curiosity.

How to be Smarter: Stop using the word “deserve.” “She didn’t deserve that;” “I deserve to have a nice boyfriend,” “We deserve to win.” Saying you know who deserves something only implies judging and then making a decision on that judging. 90 percent of the time, judging makes you look insanely ignorant.

How to be Prettier: I was appalled at the calories in my daily drink. I’m cutting back immediately. http://www.starbucks.com/retail/nutrition_beverages.asp

How to be (less) Awkward: Don’t lie over stupid things that don’t mean anything; lying over stupid lies makes you look even stupider when you get caught.

Case in point: Today, the cute coffee shop worker asked me what I was listening to. Instead of being honest and saying Britney Spears, I tried to look cool and say the Talking Heads. This only became more awkward when he asked me what song and I replied “um…I can’t remember.” THE HEADPHONES WERE STILL ON MY EARS.

How to be Smarter: Takeoffs and landings is where most of environmental damage from riding in planes come from; when traveling, reduce your carbon footprint by taking direct flights. 

How to be Smarter: If small children you are babysitting and/or parenting are fighting over something, let one cut it in half, and then the other one gets to choose the half they want. This keeps things fair.

How to be Prettier: If the earring is missing its back, you can either:
a) cut a pencil tip eraser off and use it as a back (for a stud earring)
b) squeeze the earring back tightly together (for dangle earrings with longer backs).

How to be (less) Awkward: FACT: when I give presentations, I never wear my glasses. If I can’t see the audience I feel less stressed.

How to be Smarter: Don’t use the phrase “I believe.” Its redundant. If its coming out of your mouth, everyone’s brains automatically default to knowing that’s what you believe. 

How to be Smarter: Housework is optional 85 percent of the time. If you want to change the sheets and don’t have time, just do the pillowcases, which is where most of the dirt that can get on your face and makes you break out is anyways.

How to be Prettier:
Update Wardrobe for Spring with these Items
1. Three tissue tees in one neutral and two fun colors
2. 2 cardigans (one white, one color of choice)
3. Many scarfs (all lightweight)
4. New flats because winter is over and no more Uggs.

How to be (less) Awkward: No references to how much others weigh–good or bad. Too many girls struggle with weight issues to ever have this be a good conversation. On a similar note, when someone borrows your clothes, let them try them on in the bathroom so if they don’t fit they can just say they didn’t like them and everyone avoids awkwardness.

How to be Smarter: Regardless of political affiliation, everyone–from both sides of the aisle– need to know about the President and his policies. For those interested in educational policy, I recommend The Obama Education Plan by Education Week Guide series.

How to be Smarter: Stop wasting your precious time. If a guy is looking at his phone while he’s talking to you, he’s not interested. Next.

How to be Prettier: Other people look at the darkest part of your face first; only apply mascara to your top lid if there are circles under your eyes.

How to be (less) Awkward: It’s fine to not always get the spicy hot sauce–don’t feel bad about mild. Reminder: it’s hot sauce–not a personality test.

How to be Smarter: Go get a coffee, and go to Borders for three hours. It costs no money and you can read whole books in that time. This is my favorite activity to do in life. I can’t say no to reading and coffee.

How to be Prettier: Just eat everything diet or low fat/sodium. Low fat hot pockets (lean pockets), diet soda, sorbet not ice cream, everything. You really won’t taste the difference.

How to be (less) Awkward: No political jokes unless in a group of under three people whose views you know well. Otherwise, sample size/degree to which you know someone gets too risky and statistically speaking, joke will offend someone.

How to be Prettier: Regardless of how you feel about her, the girl’s got great style. Disclaimer: you don’t have to be as thin as her to look good in her choices. http://www.foxnews.com/photoessay/0,4644,978,00.html#1_0

How to be Smarter: Go to vistaprint.com, get yourself some free business cards (you only pay shipping), and hand them out at networking events. It doesn’t matter if you are a student, they only need to have your name, contact information, major, and graduation year.

How to be (less) Awkward: Just because you are sitting with a group, doesn’t mean everything has to be a group decision. I don’t care what kind of sushi you are thinking of ordering, and I certainly don’t want to hear a ten minute discussion about it. Exceptions: if I have crush on you or you employ me. Or both.

How to be Smarter: Wake up your tastebuds. Try the new Vitamin Water, a flavor called Tranquilo. Its pineapple-favored, and delicious. 

How to be Smarter: Be friends with people smarter than you. Learn from other’s vocabulary, interests, worldviews and discussions.

How to be Prettier: Poor posture make you look chubby and lackadaisical. Pretend there is a string to the ceiling, constantly pulling you upwards.

How to be (less) Awkward: Instead of complimenting someone on their outfit, compliment them on their personality. Instead of “great shirt,” try “you’re so sweet to let me sit here!” People tend to reflect the comments you say back onto you, so by calling someone else sweet you portray yourself as sweet.