Be a positive influence. Don’t support your friend in doing things that you know are a bad idea. On the other hand, respect your friend’s right to learn from his or her mistakes. Help them study for tests, but don’t tutor them like a teacher. If you tutor your friend too much, they might get irritated; they may believe that you think that they know nothing. Only help them out if they ask for advice, and it may make the two of you closer.
Listen to all of your friends when they need to talk. If you prove that you are a thoughtful and trustworthy listener, your friends may confide most of their problems in you. Do not interrupt them when they’re speaking. Interruption is a sign of disrespect.
Repay friendship with friendship. Help your friends out without them having to ask. Show your gratitude by responding in kind. Share your gratitude. You don’t need to wait for a special occasion to tell your friend how much he or she means to you. Say, “This might sound random, but I want you to know what an awesome friend you are. You’re always there for me when I need someone to talk to, and you have the greatest sense of humor. Thank you. "
Consider trying something at least once before you dismiss it. Even if you don’t like it, try to understand why your friend enjoys doing it. You don’t need to like everything that they like – but you should at least respect the fact that they like it.
If your friend messes up, forgive them – even if he or she, say, forgets your birthday. If they don’t study for an important test, help them out. If your friend embarrasses him/herself in front of their crush, or in front of a group of people that they like, then help them out. Tell them that people will forget about it. Make sure you don’t constantly talk about what happened, and just drop it as soon as it happens.
Do not accuse. If you want to restore your friendship, you’ll need to let go of your anger. Rash words and unfounded accusations may cause the person to put up a defensive wall. However, it’s reasonable to bring up an offense if it directly caused the falling-out.
