filing:   Hold the file pointing toward your face (looking down its
          length), with the finer surface facing upward.  Holding your
          finger at a ninety degree angle (perpendicular) to the file,
          place the nail on the surface.  The vector of your finger
          should be around forty-five degrees to the plane of the
          file, so that the nail is being filed somewhat from beneath.
          File the nail by evenly drawing the file back and forth with
          the left hand, exerting even pressure and guiding it in
          place with the right thumb.

length:   Hold your hand with the palm facing you, fingers extended
          with the tips pointing upward.  You should see the tips of
          the nails just peeking past the fingertips (1 to 2 mm past
          the fingertip is plenty).  Excessive length causes the nail
          to drag along the string, causing wasted effort and
          disrupting the timing of alternation and arpeggios.  Uneven
          lengths are also disruptive; make sure no nail is
          significantly longer or shorter than the others.
 
          Note that excessive length is common among players with
          little or no training; the extra length requires less
          precise nail placement during fingerstroke and can thus make
          playing seem easier.  If you are significantly shortening
          your nails, you may initially find your fingerstroke is less
          accurate.  If so, spend some time concentrating on placing
          on the exact same spot of the nail for every fingerstroke.
 
shape:    Hold your fingers pointing toward you, so you see only the
          edge of each nail; each edge will form a more straight or a
          more curved line.  Now look at the entire nail, from above.
          If filed perpendicularly and from beneath, the straight-
          edged nails should have a more square shape, and the curve-
          edged nails should have a more elliptical shape.  If the
          edge of the nail is straight but the shape is not very
          distinctly square, you've probably been filing the nail from
          its side and the nail will have to grow out a bit to develop
          more body on the corner.  If the corners of the square
          shapes are sharply pointed, use the file to round them (but
          don't alter the basic shape).
 
surface:  After the nail is filed, its edge must be finely polished.
          Take a small portion of 500 grade open coat sandpaper and
          rub, with a back and forth motion, the same spot of
          sandpaper on the edge of the nail, particularly
          concentrating on the left side of the nail.  The surface of
          the sandpaper will wear down as you rub, creating an
          increasingly smoother polishing surface.  Keep rubbing until
          the edge is as smooth as a glass surface.

1. Avoid getting your nails wet. Use rubber gloves when you have to wash dishes, the car, etc.
   
   
2. Get into the habit of using your left hand for things such as opening doors/drawers, flicking switches, anything where you might catch the nails on something.
   
   
3. Let your left thumbnail grow a little long so you can use it for prying instead of the right one.
   
   
4. Keep the nail edge very smooth with a file and ultra fine sand paper (around 600 grit). This will prevent little snags which can catch on things and maybe rip off the nail tip.
   
   
5. Apply two or three layers of clear nail polish. Put polish on the overhanging underside of the nail too.
   
   
6. Don't let the nails get too long. They can hamper your playing and they may break easier.