Get Organized

Organization is the first step. It makes everything else a little easier.

Keep your assignments and class information together in binders, notebooks, or folders that are organized by subject. You might want to set up a file drawer at home to keep track of research, returned assignments, and other things you want to hold on to.

If you find yourself stuffing loose papers in your bag or grabbing different notebooks for the same class just because they're close at hand, it's time to stop and regroup. Take an evening to get things organized again.

Maybe you can't carry different spiral-bounds for every class. One solution is to carry a binder that has separate sections. Another idea is to take notes in one notebook and at the end of each day rewrite them in a separate binder. This takes more time, but it is a great study skill because it allows you to read, write, and hopefully summarize all that was important during the schoolday. The more you review material, the more likely you are to remember it.

Admissions Options

Most schools offer a range of admissions options. Investigate which of these your favorite schools offer:

• Regular admissions means that schools mail their decisions in April.
• Rolling admissions means that a school processes applications as they come in; you can apply at any time, but it's best to be early because spots fill up.
• The early-decision option is for students who are really sure about the school they want to attend, and who want to know earlier than April if they have been admitted. There's a drawback to applying under an early-decision option, though: You are promising that school that you'll attend if you're admitted.
• Some schools offer an early-action option, which means that students can be admitted early but don't have to attend.

Money, Money, Money

Don't cross a school off your list just because the tuition is steep. Ask your school counselor about possible community scholarships. Ask the school's financial-aid office about scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and loans. See if your parents' employers offer scholarships. And check out organizations within your community. An amazing number of college funding sources are out there for students with specific career goals in mind. Your high school guidance counselor should be a good resource for finding these.

Finding the Right Balance — and Support

Fallon, 16, said, "Finding time for everything is going to be a challenge!"

Daniel, 14, agreed. "I play sports so I have to keep my grades up to play." How does he keep the balance? "Work really hard and lean on my parents for lots of support. If you have parents around that actually take an interest in you, take advantage of that and let them be there for you."

Relying on other people for support and advice can help balance all the pressures school can bring.

Claire, 15, depends on her brother. "He is 18 and has been through it."

Dana, 14, advised, "Use the guidance counselor. That's why they are there."

Chelsea, 16, said her teachers were a big help when she was trying to catch up in school: "Since I asked for help I've felt more relaxed and more normal so that now it doesn't bother me as much as it did."

Balancing school with life's other demands means staying healthy. Lots of people told us their goal for the school year is to eat well, get plenty of exercise, and lots of sleep so they'll be primed to succeed.

Looking Good

How we feel about the way we look is closely tied to social issues, feeling comfortable, and being accepted.

Codi, 14, said, "I am not usually a shy person, but starting high school in a new school is scary. I don't know anyone other than those on my soccer team. I am afraid that once they see me out of my soccer clothes and in my skater cut-up clothes they won't want to talk to me."

"At my old school, I was the most popular girl," said Emily, 14. "Now I'm starting to get acne and developing." Dealing with body changes is a big issue for lots of people.

It's natural to worry about appearance, but most people said they try to keep things in perspective.

Casey, 14, said, "A year from now, will what you worried about really be a big deal? Other stuff is going to happen."

Lots of you recommend getting the support of a friend, parent, or counselor when you're feeling down about your appearance.

Keisha, 15, said, "Don't worry about it so much. And when your family and friends say you look great, accept the compliment, because it's true!"

Mickie, 14, told us she has no worries about starting school, but she does have this advice for looking good on the first day: "Wear clothes that fit your style. Don't wear something that makes you look like a poser."

And Lia, 14, reminds us, "If you're worried about your clothes and how you look, just remember that it's what's on the inside that matters."

Managing Worries About Schoolwork

Rachel, 15, told us, "I'm kinda hard on myself, like I feel really bad if I don't have a 4.0 grade average."

Lots of people are hard on themselves, but worrying can just add to the pressure. Casey, 15, offered this advice: "Stressing too much about it doesn't get you anywhere. It's good to be concerned about your work, but you have to act on that."

Here are some of the plans you have for coping with schoolwork:

Zach, 18, said, "Better time management. I need to stop talking with the social butterflies and get to work!"

Michael, 16, plans to "come home, take a quick break, and then get started on my work straight away. Procrastination only brings frustration!"

Katie, 17, offered this advice: "To avoid trouble, do homework as soon as possible and at least start projects the day you get them."

Finding the Right Balance — and Support

Fallon, 16, said, "Finding time for everything is going to be a challenge!"

Daniel, 14, agreed. "I play sports so I have to keep my grades up to play." How does he keep the balance? "Work really hard and lean on my parents for lots of support. If you have parents around that actually take an interest in you, take advantage of that and let them be there for you."

A new school year is exciting. There's that wonderful feeling of making a fresh start, catching up with old friends, and making progress by moving up a grade. But there's no denying that it can be stressful too.

What's Worrying You

If you find yourself preparing for school by hoping for the best and imagining the worst, you're not alone. Here's what we heard from 600 people who took our survey on back-to-school worries.

One third said they worry most about schoolwork. No surprise there. You'll be studying more advanced material, so it's natural to worry about whether you'll do OK.

But not everyone said schoolwork was their biggest worry. Just as many people said they worry most about social issues like fitting in, having friends, being judged, or being teased. Since social life is such a big part of school, it's not a shock that social issues are the biggest worry for some people.

Besides schoolwork and social stuff, another category ranked high on the worry list: appearance. One-fourth of the people who responded to our survey said appearance issues worried them most of all. If this is you, you've got plenty of company.

Kimberly, 14, told us, "I'm happy about going back to school — I'm bored stiff here! But I'm worried about reputation, teasing, failing, and being a nerd."

Set Your Space

You need a good workspace — someplace clean and orderly and quiet enough to focus. (If you can, avoid trying to study in places that are the center of activity, like the kitchen.) It helps to have a specific place that's set aside for homework so that when you sit down, your mind knows you're there to work and can help you focus more quickly.

Your bedroom, a study, or any other room where you can get away from noise and distractions is an ideal place to focus. It's best to study at a desk or table where you can spread your work out. You'll also need a chair that's comfortable: It should support your lower back and allow you to keep both feet on the floor in front of you. To make studying less of a strain on your eyes, be sure you have enough light.

Finally, make sure the room you're in is comfortable. This sounds basic, but if you're too hot, too cold, or distracted by your pet hamster spinning on his wheel, you won't be able to concentrate as effectively.

Have resources handy. What do you need in your work area in order to avoid interruptions? Books, supplies, notes, research sources? Keep these in one place so you don't have to go off in search of printer paper, a stapler, or a book you know you just saw around here somewhere.