I’ve had my fair share of friends telling me about an internship or a high grade they received and my initial reaction could have been more supportive… had my mind not been too busy raging with jealousy. Oh, the internal conflict!

Eventually, you need to learn to turn off the unofficial Game of Life playing inside your head. Make a conscious effort to improve how you treat others, and change can spread from there.

Be Honest and Open

In the second episode of the show Friends from College, Jordan-Micheal Key’s character, Ethan, lies about his novel being accepted in order to impress his Ivy League colleagues.

Although lying about your life may seem tempting, especially when your friends are achievers, it’s never a good idea. It’s not a matter of if your friends find out but when they find out. Do you really want to risk your integrity and trust on something so petty?

Also, consider becoming more vulnerable with your group. We typically want to show off how great our lives are all the time, when what we really need is support and friendship for all the phases of our life (good and bad). This tendency to share only the good can be especially true on Instagram and Facebook.

So take a chance and share your failures as well as your wins. Chances are your friends are hoping for the opportunity to do the same.

Set a Rule to Stop “One-Upping” Each Other

There’s a reason Kristen Wiig’s recurring SNL character, Penelope, is so funny and relatable. Penelope is a character who compulsively one-ups everyone with claims that become increasingly crazy. We can all think of situations where we or our friends have been guilty of “being a Penelope.”

So if Penelope-ism runs rampant in your group, it’s time to get serious. Set a rule within your group to stop one-upping each other. This can be done by agreeing to become more aware of what you’re saying and catch yourself before the act.