Go-to resolutions -- like stepping up your fitness routine or getting better grades --- are cool and all, but you’re gonna have to get a little more creative if you want to make 2011 your best year yet. Print this list out and tape it to your bedroom wall, then watch your year get more and more awesome as you check each one off!

1. Learn the Constellations
Stargazing just got a whole lot easier thanks to a super-cool app called Star Walk ($2.99 for iPhones and Androids). Just hold your phone up to the night sky and the app’ll find all the constellations for you. 

2. Shoot a Music Video
Gather a few of your girls and rock out to your favorite tunes -- while a digital camera records the results. (Just switch it to movie mode first.) Voila! You have an MTV-worthy vid that’ll make Lady Gaga look lame.

3. Meet a Real-life Author
Since writers do book tours whenever they come out with a new read, it’s actually really easy to meet one. Just check the events calendar at your local bookstore or public library to see when one of your faves is going to be in town. Then take your favorite book of theirs along so you can get a personalized autograph!

4. Start Your Novel
Now that you’ve met an author, you can start working on your own book. Think of each chapter as a new short story and feel free to write them out of order -- it'll make the process that much easier, and it’s what tons of pros do.

5. Update Your Playlist
The coolest (and cheapest) way to stock up on tunes? Host a playlist swap. Invite your girls over and ask them to bring their CD collections. Then lay them all out in your living room and have fun chatting as you figure out who gets to borrow which ones to upload to their computers at home that night. Or, you can all bring your laptops to swap then and there!

6. Host a Wicked-cool Outdoor Movie Night
Pick a theme (say, Harry Potter movies or RPattz flix). Rent a couple of DVDs that work with it, take a laptop and a few blankets outside on a warm night, and prepare to have one very awesome movie marathon with a few of your girls.

7. Form a Club
Whether you want to get an anti-bullying group going or find a place to play Rock Band every Wednesday, talk to your guidance counselor to get it started. You can also chat with your parents about having meetings in your basement.

8. Feng Shui Your Room
According to this Eastern philosophy, you can boost your positive vibes just by rearranging your furniture. Get started by taking all electronics -- including your TV, computer and cell phone -- out of your room. Then, move your bed to a spot that’s not in line with any doors. (That creates a negative energy-flow.)

9. Discover the Best Takeout in Town
Instead of ordering in from the same spot every week (bo-ring!), ask the fam if you can switch things up. Create scorecards so you can grade each new restaurant on each dish you order. Soon, you’ll find the hands-down best spot. 

10. Hear “Love That Bag!” All the Time
How? By creating your own! Just buy a blank canvas tote and iron-on transfer paper from an art supply store. Then create a black and white design on your computer, print it out on a transfer sheet and have Mom or Dad help you iron it onto the bag. So cute!

11. Be Your BFF's Stylist
And let her be yours! Go shopping together, and then pick out a few outfits for each other that are way diff than what you two would normally wear. Then hit the dressing rooms and have fun modeling all of your new looks for each other.

Being a girl isn’t always easy. When it comes to feminine hygiene, there’s lots of room for major embarrassment! Here, real girls dish on their most mortifying moments. (All you can do is laugh about it, right?)

Mood Monitor
My little sister had this kid over to play Wii with her, and he had to use the toilet. I had a box of pads on the bathroom sink, and the boy asked my sister what was in the box. She said, “Oh, those? They’re just those things Claudia puts in her underpants when she’s in a bad mood.” Nice. -- Claudia, 14

Pray Tell!
This is the most embarrassing thing ever! I got my period while I was at church, but I didn’t have anything with me. It hadn’t gotten on my dress, so I folded up some toilet paper and placed it in the crotch of my underwear. I walked (pretty fast) back to the pew to tell my mom we had to leave. As she and I were heading up the aisle toward the exit, I saw it. ... The bloody tissue had fallen out of my undies and onto the floor! My mother nonchalantly knelt down, scooped it up and slipped it into her purse. Bless her! -- Kara, 13

Landing Pad
When I was at the skating rink when I was about 6 years old, I noticed the dispenser in the ladies room and put some coins in to find out what it was. Two maxi pads came out, but I thought they were kneepads! I stuck them to my knees, and went onto the rink. I was skating like that for a while before my aunt pulled me aside and took them off. Later that night, my mom had “the period talk” with me. -- Sandy, 15

Stick Figure
I was ready to try tampons, so my mom bought me some. Everybody had told me that it doesn’t hurt, that I wouldn’t even feel it. But it felt really awkward! I decided to wait and see if I got used to it. I was walking around the house looking all stiff when my big sister was like, “What is wrong with you?” I told her about the tampon, and she said, “Something is not right.” She showed me the directions on the tampon box, and it turned out I had left in part of the cardboard applicator. Stupid, but now I’m a pro! -- Camryn, 13

Being stressed makes everything harder: You’re less likely to focus in class, more likely to fight with your BFF, and you might even get sick. To get your carefree self back, here are some cool ways to help you relax. Some of them might sound wacky, but they work! So get ready to try something new ... and ditch the stressed-out you.

Be a Poser
Girls who do yoga feel strong, focused and self-confident. Yoga is all about being kind to yourself. It helps you live “in the moment” instead of dwelling on yesterday (ugh, you tripped in the cafeteria) or tomorrow (big algebra test coming up). Plus, we love all those cute animal names for poses, like Camel, Monkey and Downward-facing Dog. Ready to strike a pose? Grab a DVD or search “yoga for kids” online. You’ll be stretching your way to serenity in no time.

Color Your World
Ever hear of looking at life through “rose-colored glasses”? They really exist! Some people use color therapy (treatment with tinted lenses or lights) to ward off depression. You don’t have to go that far, but remember that your environment can affect your emotions. Blue is soothing, pink is playful and yellow is energizing. So whether you’re picking an outfit or decorating your room, surround yourself with happy hues.

Clear Your Head
Smart girls like you have lots of “chatter” going on in their brains. Try meditating to calm your mind. It can be as simple as closing your eyes, breathing deeply and repeating a single word for a few minutes. (Pick a word like “happiness” and not your crush’s name so you don’t defeat the purpose!) Or lie on the floor, turn on some classical music or nature sounds, and imagine the most beautiful place you can think of.

Lighten up
Some people are extra-sensitive to the changing of the seasons, especially when it’s dark and dreary outside. If that’s you, you might need more light in your life. Be sure to spend time outside every day: Walk to school, shovel snow (your parents will love it) or ride your bike. Bonus: Aerobic exercise, whether it’s indoors or out, is a proven stress reducer!

Be Nosy
Some smells can trigger a positive response in your brain, so try aromatherapy! Scents like lavender, cinnamon and ylang-ylang could help you relax and sleep better. On the other hand, grapefruit and peppermint will wake you up. Instead of buying essential oils, which can be potent and expensive, go for scented candles and bath products. Or you can sip a cup of chamomile tea before bed. Sweet dreams!

The thought of talking to your parents can feel like torture. You’re sure you’d just die if they found out about your crush or the D+ you got on a math test -- or (yikes!) that you got your period. Whether your parents are high-strung, low-key or completely impossible to read, here are a few clever ways to tackle some tough subjects.

“I just had this killer world-cultures test … and bombed it!”

Talking With Your Parents Tip. No. 1: Stay one step ahead of ’em.

Before talking to your parents about any bad grade, it’s wise to talk to your teacher first. Will some extra credit cut it? Do you need a tutor? By attacking the problem at school before you break the news to Mom and Dad, you demonstrate that you’re accepting responsibility and willing to work toward improvement. How can your parents get angry about that? You might have flunked a test, but you’re no flunky.

“I’m crushing hard for this boy. I think he likes me, but my parents won’t even let me date.”

Talking With Your Parents Tip. No. 2: Get inside their heads.
So your parents say no dating until you’re 13, and you’re six months shy of that. Just so happens that the cutest boy in your school is into you, and you’re into him. Instead of seeing this boy behind their backs, tap into your parents’ inner teen spirit. Ask nostalgic questions: “Who was your first crush?” “Were you allowed to date?” “How did you two meet?” Then, when you feel comfortable, ’fess up about your crush. Maybe they’ll want to meet him. Maybe they’ll like him. Maybe they’ll even let you go out with him.

“I’ve gotten my period and haven’t even told my parents. I don't want to …  it’s so embarrassing!”

Talking With Your Parents Tip. No. 3: Think like a grown-up.
First off, remember that moms menstruate too. And even your dad, trust us, is at least somewhat familiar with the process. Just knowing that this is nothing new to them might help ease some of your embarrassment. Getting your period is part of nature, so keep it in perspective. Meghan, 12, says that after the initial discomfort of bringing it up, she’s so glad she can now turn to her mom with questions.

“I can’t stand my mom’s new boyfriend. How do I tell her?”

Talking With Your Parents Tip. No. 4: Don’t cop an attitude.

Whether it’s your mom or dad who’s dating, this is a tough one. You want your parent to be happy, but you’re picking up a bad vibe. Meghan says the worst way to start off is by saying, “Why are you with him?” Instead of a loaded question, ask for some one-on-one time: “I miss our movie nights together. Can we do that this weekend?” It’ll give you a chance to reconnect, and you can wait for the right moment to bring up any issues about your parent’s significant other -- if you’re still feeling that way by then.

Whether you’ve already gotten your period or you’re still waiting for your mom to let you shave, this is a time in your life when you’re having one first-in-a-lifetime experience after another. Hey, you’re a big girl now.

First Period
“When I got my first period, it was during a sleepover at my BFF’s house. It wasn’t a slumber party or anything, just me spending the night. But it was still so embarrassing -- I slept in one of her twin beds, and the sheets were bloodstained when I woke up in the morning. My friend was so nice about it, though. We changed the bedding, and her mom got me a pad.”  -- Geanie, 15

First Time Shaving
“When I was 9, I wasn’t allowed to shave yet. But during the summer, I really wanted my legs to be smooth. (They were very hairy.) One day, I was in the bathtub and saw my mom’s razor. I couldn’t resist. I shaved, but I didn’t cover all of my legs. The hair was in sections, so it looked like stripes. I traded my shorts for long pants until the hair grew back out so my parents wouldn’t see, even though it was, like, 100 degrees out.” -- Kelli, 14

First Kiss
“My first kiss was at summer camp with my best friend’s cute cousin. We were sitting by a campfire, and I knew he was going to kiss me. I was sooo nervous and was trembling all over. Well, I’d just had a bunch of root beer right before so when he leaned in ... I burped. Right in his face. He kissed me anyway.” -- Christine, 16

First Stick of Deodorant
“I had a crush on this boy, so one of my friends told him. He said to her, ‘Jess is nice and all, but I can’t go out with her -- she stinks.’ I was mortified! I immediately went to the store and bought some deodorant. I had no idea I had body odor. Ugh. But now I have a nice boyfriend who likes the way I smell.” -- Jessica, 12

First Bra
“I got my first bra when I was, like, 6. My favorite aunt bought it for me, but it really was just a flimsy pullover made of elastic and T-shirt material. It sort of had cups, but no hooks or wires or anything. It had a weird picture of a windmill on it, and I thought it was so cool. I just found it in my drawer the other day. That thing is dorky.” -- Ryan, 13