"Always read the quest dialog" the directions will always be in the quest dialog. if you didnt read the dialog properly.. there will be a good chance that you will miss something and get lost in the process
Check if the requirements of each quest is available in your skills/fame (since all of the quest in school doesnt require "fame" all you need to worry about is the nessesary skills/items for that quest)
If lost, Go to the tavern and have a drink with the "Merchant", "Seafarer", or the "Barkeeper". They will give you information an which NPC to talk to next.