Going back to school prompts us to reassess how we will meet the demands on our time: academic, extra-curricular and social, and for some, even the need to earn money.

The need to set goals along with balancing and prioritising these demands can be a challenge sometimes.

Academic demands — these will be greater than last year's as you've moved up a grade. Staying on top of academics is a must.

Try to sort subject demands in order of importance and due dates.

Now I'm not saying English is more important than geography or physical education, but remember to put the assignments and fixtures in chronological order from due dates and importance as that will assist you hugely.

Remember to check on your progress towards assignments completed.

Remember, too, that there will be times when you do not feel like doing your work, but you have to push through, as the tiny sacrifices made now will benefit the grand picture in the end.

Believe it or not striving for perfection is not always necessary, and students don't have to be maniacal about success.

A good friend of mine once told me that every time you do something and fail, you learn how not to do it in the future, and this will result in personal success.

Many students are also faced with academic failures and don't know how to deal with the anxiety it can cause.

If you find yourself in this unfortunate predicament, first, consult with your teacher on your grade, missing assignments, and the total points needed to pass.

Usually you're not in as a bad a position as you think. And even if you are, you can ask your teacher if there are any extra credit assignments that you can do to improve your grade.

Then create a schedule. If you're failing, your issue most likely is procrastinating and waiting until the last minute to do your assignments.

Overcome this by setting aside a regular homework time; a good example is, let's say you get off school at 3 p.m.

From 3.30 p.m. to 5 p.m. do any homework you have and get it out of your way.

Think of how good you'll feel knowing that everything's completed.

Then from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. study; the time doesn't have to be that long, but just make sure you spend 15 minutes on every subject. Once you've done this, keep a close eye on your progress so you don't find yourself in the same predicament again.

The demand for extra curricular participation, need for breaks, variety, range of activities — make sure you balance them.

Here's the area to stretch yourself, challenge your limitations, go beyond your comfort zone.

Even though there may be no direct correlation with academics, the experience can add to personal success, and develop personal relationships within and without school that will be an advantage to your high school success story.

In today's society the need for students to be involved in community service hours and the need to work is demanding.

Some kids find themselves having to baby sit younger siblings while also balancing their schoolwork.

Other families depend on kids' grocery bagging tips to pay the bills or other jobs to make ends meet.

All of this eats into extra-curricular and homework time and can be a hindrance to your success.

Some find it helpful discussing issues with school guidance counsellors who can help create some opportunities for students alongside their family obligations.

A meeting with parents, guidance counsellor and kid can work out reasonable limits for working hours as they still need to meet their school requirements and need adequate rest.

Counsellors can also advise other ways to manage a budget so you don't feel physically overwhelmed by your family's financial situation.

Some students find themselves living in small space. Some families share an apartment and kids share a room. You may need to negotiate private space/time for homework.

For example you can work out an arrangement so that all people in the house (even non-students) agree not to have the TV on for a certain period so you can concentrate or partition off one corner of a room, or one desk or part of a table which no one else can touch where you can study and leave your books.

Many people know the common saying "high school is the best years of your life, so enjoy them while you can".

Most teens are in denial about this saying and can't wait to finish.

Regardless of the saying, you can only go to high school once. So why not get involved in school activities?

Go to plays, concerts, football games, parties, dances. Just go. Go with your friends or by yourself.

Make some new friends, take some pictures, and make a memory. All these things will mean a lot to you when you look back twenty years from now. Call people when the time is right. Call your friends on a regular basis and find out what you can do with them.

See if they are free and have a good time with them. If they are busy, make plans for another weekend.

Make guy and girl friends. Get to know people of all styles and groups. If you have lots of friends, your life will probably never be dull.

Don't be so shy, because "a stranger is just a friend you haven't met yet."

Believe it or not, striving for perfection is not necessary as long as you know you've done your best to reach both academic and personal success.

And as a senior with a GPA of 3.6, this is not something that I would easily advise as I am a perfectionist.

What is necessary is to set concrete goals for yourself at the beginning of the school year so you have a clear view of your future and can keep the end in view.

Stay focused while in school, have fun, leave some time to party. You only live these years once, so make the most of them and make every minute last!