Fight the good fight: conflict stinks but, hey, it's inevitable. Here's how to duke it out fair and square.

Battling with your BFF? Constantly bicker with the sibs? No matter who you have it out with, you can tight nice. It's tricky, but not impossible.

COOL DOWN Getting super-steamed can lead to shouting or saying things you'll later regret. So before you reach the boiling point, call a timeout. Walk it off, punch your pillow, write in a journal ... whatever calms you down. Often, just taking time to cool can help a conflict blow over. You and a bud could realize you only fought because you were both in foul moods. So take a chill pill.

RESIST THE URGE TO GET EVEN If your brother broke your CD player, "accidentally" spilling Hershey's chocolate syrup in his backpack might seem like sweet revenge. But while the idea of getting back at someone might feel good at first, doing something with malicious intent won't fix what started the fight in the first place. In fact, it will probably spur an endless, all-out, back-and-forth, get-back-at-each-other battle.

PICK THE RIGHT TIME TO TALK Peeved 'cause your parents won't stretch your curfew for the Fall Ball? Instead of approaching them five minutes before you have to leave for practice or right when they get home from work, make a date to talk with them an hour before bedtime, when no one is rushed or distracted. Or rather than confronting your bud before class about those rumors she spread, chat with her after school.

SPEAK UP FOR YOURSELF Making sure your point comes across loud and clear is crucial to resolving any conflict. At times, it might seem easier to just let things slide but, if you make that a pattern, you're denying your own feelings--not a good thing. To make speaking out work for you, start by telling the other person specifically what she did to upset you. Instead of telling your sister, "You're such a jerk," try, "It bothers me when you borrow my stuff without asking." Tell her why you feel that way ("When you sneak into my room, it violates my privacy"), and then explain what you'd like her to do differently ("If you ask for permission and take good care of it, I'm happy to lend you stuff").

LISTEN TO THE OTHER'S POINT OF VIEW There are always at least two sides to every story, and lots of fights are caused from your misunderstanding of the other person's outlook. If you pay attention to that person's P.O.V., major fights could be prevented. Say, for example, your dad spazzes when you listen to punk. But that's the music you love, so you don't get why he disapproves. Hear him out. Perhaps it's not the music that makes the madness--could be the volume. Since The Misfits aren't exactly his fave, headphones might solve the prob.

BE PREPARED TO APOLOGIZE OR COMPROMISE First off, if you did something to upset or hurt someone (even if it was unintentionally), apologize--and mean it. Then, see if you can find some middle ground--a compromise. If you and your mona always argue because she insists you be home by 9 p.m. on weekends, even though most of your friends get to stay out until 11 p.m., maybe you could shoot for 10:30 ... 10:15 ... 9:30? Even if she won't go for it, this is one battle you'll never win, so respect your mom's opinion, and put the fight behind you.

MOVE ON Had about enough of this fight? Rather than going round after round, call a truce. If you still feel upset, try not to stew. Grudges only drag you down and keep you from getting on more positive footing. It's not the end of the world if everything doesn't work out to your expectations. Just be proud knowing you stood up for your feelings and did your best to resolve the conflict. Then go hang up those boxing gloves.