Here's How:

1. Have a game plan. Do some on line research before you hit the stores. See what's in and what's out, and check your favorite retail store sites so see what they have, and what the pricing is like.
2. Buy Essentials. There are certain things that need to be new every year. Jeans, for one. Shoes are another. Book bags are an essential. Making sure you have fresh new essentials will really help keep you on track the entire semester.
3. Shoes. Shoes are such a point of stress for back to school. It's hard to choose between the cool trendy “couldn't walk in them if I tried” shoes, and the cute but comfy shoes. While it can be hard, we need to try and remember to be practical when it comes to buying shoes for back to school, so opt a couple of styles of comfortable shoes, and maybe splurge on one trendy pair.
4. Book bags. Call em backpacks, messenger bags, schoolbags, book bags, whatever you want. It's an essential for back to school. The most common mistake we make when choosing a book bag is size. Somehow, we never get the right one. While you're choosing your bag to carry around school, try and think of your book list. Make sure you'll have enough space.
5. Comfort. Another issue with book bags is comfort. We don't generally anticipate the actual weight of the books and supplies we need to haul around. Messenger bags are really cool looking, but with the most of the weight one only one shoulder, you can put too much pressure on one side and it can cause back pain, neck pain and a whole mess of problems you don't want. If you can, opt for the two strap backpack.