There are some basic guidelines to keep in mind when applying Kirchoff's Rules:

1. Label the currents in each branch, indicating the direction. If you're not sure which way one of the currents goes just take an educated guess. When you solve for a current and get a negative number the value is correct, and the minus sign indicates that the current goes the other way.
   
   
2. If you want, label the + (higher potential) and - (lower potential) ends of each resistor. The current tells you which end is which. Current goes through a resistor from the higher potential end to the lower potential end.
   
   
3. Apply the loop rule. Each new equation should involve a branch you haven't covered. Keep writing down loop equations until you've covered every branch.
   
   
4. Apply the junction rule until you have as many equations as unknowns.
   
   
5. Solve. Usually you're solving the equations for unknown currents but if you know one or more of the currents you can solve for something else, like an unknown resistance or a battery emf.