Back-to-school tips you can use

Yes, we know. You've been flooded with back-to-school tips and suggestions. You're tired of hearing about getting your priorities in order, studying, and getting enough sleep. You know that stuff—or at least you've heard it so many times before that you should know it. And we know that you realize that most of it is vitally important and useful information. So, we don't want to bore you with the same stuff everyone else has told you. Check out our tips for back-to-school below.

Start your school year with purpose.
We're not talking about starting with plans to rock all of your classes, get all A's, and get into an Ivy League college with early admission, even though those things are great goals and good things to strive for. We're talking about living on purpose spiritually. Check out the story on page 24 of the August issue of ec, then read Chansin Bird's personal account on page 26 of the same issue. The fact that you're a Christian doesn't fade when you're at school, though we all sometimes act like it does. Live with purpose this year.

Serve others.
We're not talking about serving your friends lunch in the cafeteria, though bringing them a special treat one day might be nice. What we're talking about is finding ways to do nice and helpful things for others with no selfish motives. Maybe you have a friend who needs a ride home from practice and you or your parents can do that. Maybe you see a student who never has anyone to sit with at lunch. Maybe you know of a teen who wants to do some extracurricular activity but doesn't have the money—and your family does and could donate it anonymously. The idea is that you stop thinking about yourself and start putting other people first. It's what Jesus did for us—and He's called us to be obedient to Him. If you're still looking for ideas about where and how to serve others, check out "Playing to Your Strengths" on page 40 of this month's issue of ec. Find the things you're good at and find a way to serve!

Make new friends.
This summer, we invited you to take a good look at your friends and evaluate those relationships. Some of them may have been good for you. Others of them may not have been. A new school year is a good place to start pursuing relationships that have meaning and value. Keep the friends you've had forever—the ones who know you best, love you always, and push you to a deeper relationship with Christ—ever close to you. But don't be afraid to reach out to new people. It is often through friendships that people come to Christ or begin to go deeper in their relationship with Him. Don't be so focused on your one group of friends that you miss out of a great friendship with someone you wouldn't expect!