Thickest, coursest, poofiest, most unmanagable hair!?

yeah. i have black hair, and it's shoulder length, but if i grab a strand and pull it, it reaches to the bottom of my shoulder blade. i have really short side bangs on either side, and i have layered my hair like crazy, but it still so unmanageable. im about to go to school and i want a really neat hairstyle. any ideas?