I have a 94 corolla and I can't figure out what's gong on my gauge lights off and my back lights won't turn on when I turn my head lights on

Check all the fuses under the hood and under the dash. Use a test light and make certain that both sides light.
What do you mean by "gauge lights"?
Do your tail lights work at all? Like when you turn on just tail lights?

The dash lights and tail lights are tide into the "tail' fuse circuit. Years ago a service bulletin came out with an improved tail light wiring harnesses.
Your originals have way too much resistance in the bulb sockets. Should be less than a hundred in parts and easy to replace,