Open Question: Do OTC sleep aids work?

I have trouble falling asleep a lot. I lay awake for hours, and it's quite frustrating. I don't really have problems staying asleep now, but in the past I would sometimes wake up in the middle of the night. So. Do OTC sleep aids actually work? And if they do, which ones are best? I'm sixteen and not sure that a prescription would be right for me. :/ My thoughts tend to race when I'm trying to fall asleep, too. Is there any advice for dealing with this? Just so it's known, I'm homeschooled and don't necessarily need to wake up early morning. I tend to go to sleep around the same time every night, and I usually wake up around ten every day.