Final answer:
A good citizen stays informed, participates in democracy, respects laws and others, and pays taxes, contributing to society's well-being.
Step-by-step explanation:
Preparing oneself to be a good citizen involves actively participating in civic life and fulfilling your civic responsibilities. This can be achieved by staying informed about issues that affect the community, participating in the democratic process, obeying laws, respecting others' rights and beliefs, engaging in community activities, and paying taxes promptly. By contributing to society and exercising civic virtue, as emphasized by the Founders and influential philosophers like Montesquieu and Rousseau, citizens uphold the social contract and enable the generation of a government that reflects public interest and promotes collective well-being.