The pools are glistening with cool refreshing water, and the sun is pelting down rays of intense heat, but summer break is officially over. It’s back to waking up early and dealing with the daily stresses of being a high school student.

You have been relaxing for two months, spending time with friends, making lifelong memories, and enjoying a carefree state of mind, and now you are expected to just jump right back into real life? It’s tough, but I promise there are ways to cope and thrive through the initial shock of returning to locker-lined hallways and textbooks that weigh about the same amount as bag of bowling balls. Consider the following:

Get organized. Being organized is a huge key to success in and out of school. Have a notebook and a folder or binder for each of your classes; this will ensure that you always come to school prepared.

Dedicate a place at home to be your workspace. If you have a desk, use it.  If not, find a quiet area with limited distractions, such as a kitchen, dining room table or reading nook. Having a space where you do only work will help force you into a productive mind-set.

Avoid distractions. Tuck your phone away and put it on silent, exit the Facebook tab on your computer and keep your workspace clean.

Relax before starting your homework. It is perfectly fine to come home after a long day at school or sports practice and want to relax. Take a shower, have a snack and rest your mind for half an hour; this will increase your productivity. The worst thing you can do is watch your favorite show. One show will spiral into six shows, and all of the sudden it is 9 o’clock! I know I’m at fault for binge watching on Netflix, but it’s a terrible habit and it WILL affect your grades and your health.

Balance your activities. You hear it all the time, but balancing every aspect of your life in high school is extremely difficult. You are taking demanding classes, playing a sport and trying out some clubs, but you still want to see your friends – and sleep. Understanding your limits and priorities is crucial to a low-stress lifestyle. When you are an underclassman, you don’t have many immediate life decisions to make, but the way you choose to carry on in these two years will affect your test scores, college applications and GPA.

Deferred gratification makes sense. It is nerve-wracking to think about the future, but if you understand the impact of simple decisions now, you can make more informed choices in the future. So, instead of going to a big sleepover or a football game, grab a friend and have a fun study session. You can be social and productive if you know what your limitations are.

Face your fears. Don’t let them affect your actions. Afraid to talk to a teacher about clarification or needing help? Want to talk to the cute boy or girl who sits next to you in English? Interested in joining a club or sport but worry you’ll get rejected? Want to take an honors class but think you may not be smart enough? The only thing in your way is fear. Your teachers want you to talk to them one on one; the boy or girl sitting next to you is scared to talk to you, too; you won’t know whether you’ll get cut from a sport unless you try; and you’re only as smart as the work and time you put into studying.

In high school, you have the power to make your experience positive. If you believe in yourself and prioritize your passions, there’s nothing between you and success.