Girls: What beauty tips do you give to other girls for Competions?

I recently decided to allow my normally very short nails to grow out. It didn't take much time and we had a week off from moe. When I returned I reliezed two things...they were going to so get broken when I worked with the machines and I could only imagine competion. Anyone else have long nails that get in the way? How do you keep them long? what other beauty tips do you have for us girls?