What are some tips for keeping on track and organized for the up-coming school year?

I hate you. Darn Californian rules saying we go back like three full weeks before anyone else.

I know basically nothing, but I'll try to help you because I don't want to do my homework right now.

Tip number one: Don't procrastinate. It sounds relatively simple, but it's so freaking hard. Yeah you probably already knew that. But high school... it's like a hurricane of work and clubs and sports being hurled at you from all different angles and then all of a sudden you're going to be at 12 because you have to read an entire chapter about the Renaissance and you're just like, "Whatevs. Da Vinci may have been a genius but he's dead to me."

Tip number two: Make sure everything's organized. Well, duh, right? That's what you're asking about. But whatever. I would recommend getting a separate binder for each class, and a notebook for each class if it's necessary. Most teachers go over the materials the first day of school, so don't don't go overboard and buy like thirty glue sticks at Target 'cause they're one dollar each and then find out that you really need scissors.

Tip number three: Stay off Facebook! Or Y!A. Or Formspring. Or whatever sites you like to go on. Yeah, basically I spent a few hours on here a few days ago and... fail. Okay. So yeah. Internet = bad. I don't know what people see in all these technological advancements.

Tip number four: Write everything down. It's easy to forget things (like needing a "Sportfolio" for PE... WTF?), so even if it's just "bring ten dollars for lunch" or "buy a pair of scissors because those thirty glue sticks aren't gonna cover it," write it down. It's so helpful to be able to cross things off and know exactly what you have left. (I've also seen people use different colors for agendas, but I don't think it's necessary.)

Tip number five: Use your locker. I think in general a locker is great thing to have/use. It's literally a load off your back to only have to carry a few books around, plus it's a great way to meet up with some friends and stuff.

(I feel like I'm not telling you what you want to know. But I'm going to continue anyways.)

Tip number six: Seriously, don't panic. I mean, you'll get everything done. (You said you wanted mental tips... this is mental for me :D). I was up until 12 doing my AP Euro homework, but I knew that I would, eventually, finish it. Don't cheat or plagarise (I know you wouldn't, but this kind of relates to my next point which is...): It's better to be late or get an extension than be up until 4 doing a paper and finally thinking, I'll just copy it. I know that this is really lame, what I'm saying, but I kind of have a point -- I guess I'm saying it that it will all work out if you just stop, go to bed, and get 10% off on a paper, for example.

Tip number seven: Sleep. Sleep makes you happy and pretty and awesome. I seriously recommend it.

Yeah I'll stop now. Bye.

I advise you to have some planner and an organizer for all your notebooks and papers so that it will not be like messing inside your bag and also, have a wrists watch always because for students like us time is really important. So, that you will not be delaying on some of your appointments and deadlines in school. Hope this helps!

-Don't keep unnecessary things in your folder/binder

- Have a binder clean out every 2 weeks

-Write your homework assignments everyday. Don't rely on your memory!

-Don't do assignments last minute

-Have about 8 pencils and pens to ensure you never run out if one breaks/ gets lost

-Try not to let people borrow assignments, pencils, etc.. it'll end up not returned one day

Keep your homework planner neat. :)

haha, rubbish tip. But when I write down a piece of homework really vaguely and in bad handwriting, I'm less likely to do the homework.

Use locker shelves and color code everything. If your really creative you can decorate your notebooks. It helps to have a separate binder for each class. :) Good luck.