Congradulations!
It is a long and challenging process huh?  I am currently going through the end of my process.  It has been challenging.
Good luck to you!

40Smith....
Here is another cool website that is L.E. related..A lot of good discussion boards so we don't feel alone.
http://www.911jobforums.com/vB/forumdisplay.php3?f=44

Actually I only posted about poly's a handful of times, and my posts were strictly about being honest with the evaluator.  I don't believe in having to decieve the evaluator.  I feel be truthful, let the chips fall where they may.  I am also strongly opposed to the idea of supplying polygraph information to convicted sex offenders.  I feel totally disgusted that anyone would provide such information and the fact that these criminals would come to this site looking for an escape.  I was honest when I took my poly and passed, however I'm sure that there have been people out there who were just as honest and didn't past.  As far as academy, I completed it last month.  I  am being hired as a reserve peace officer with a strong chance of becoming full time next January.  thanks again for the advice...

40Smith
I just started as a level 1 reserve a few days ago.  I completed the basic academy in July.  It was pretty awesome getting sworn in and badged.  As far as academy, it was tough at times.  I went to an academy that has one of the highest standards in Ca. for academics.  Post requires a grade average of 70%.  The academy I was at mandated an 80% grade average. The upside was that a lot of departments from different areas came to our academy to recruit.   
My advice for you is to stay on top of all assignments, even better get them done ahead if you have some type of assignment guide.  Get as must rest as you can, especially in the beginning of your academy.  Stay away from the TV.  If you have a few spare minutes either study or take a nap, towards the end of the academy when your only getting 4 or so hours of sleep, those naps you took early in your academy will pay off.

Some good ways to save time;
find a good cleaner that presses uniforms.  I ironed my uniforms 99% of the time, on occasion when I was too tired or strapped for time, the cleaners came in handy.

type out essays and edit them on a computer before you write them out.

have everything ready the night before.
find a good study group for tests, scenarios, etc..

use highlighters during lectures.

find a good pen to write with to avoid re-writes
I used a very fine tipped pen, I think it was a "precision" name brand.  they are like $4 for 2 pens....well worth every penny

do not be late or absent if possible.  unless it is an emergency get to school....I don't know how your acedemy is structured, but in mine during the last part of academy we had available hours to go to interviews during class time, with no penalty. 

try to get along with everyone, and stay away from gossip, and any negative crap that other cadets will get involved in.  As cadets got tired they started to lose focus and toward the end of academy there was a lot of hostility among some cadets.  stay away from that crap.  If you don't get along with someone, be polite, proffesional, in the end it will pay off.

ask questions.  In my class I was the one everyone would tease about asking too many questions.  However after every exam the instructors would come back and tell us we were getting some of the highest scores of all academys.  So don't worry about being teased for any silly questions.  Thats what the instructors are there for, and get paid for.

well I wish you the best, and if you have any more questions feel free to post and I will answer them the best that I can.  Hope this helps...