20 Hairstyles For School That Take 5 Minutes or Less
Mornings are rough enough without spending forever on your hair. Between hitting snooze three times and finding clean clothes, who has time for fancy hairstyles?
The good news? You don’t need hours to look put-together for school. These quick styles work whether your hair is long, short, curly, or straight.
Most need just a hair tie and maybe some bobby pins. No special tools or crazy skills required. Just simple looks that keep your hair out of your face and make you feel confident all day.
Our Best Picks
1 Messy Bun
The messy bun is your best friend when you’re running late. Just twist your hair up and secure it with a hair tie – done in under two minutes.
Don’t worry about making it perfect. The "messy" part is supposed to look effortless and casual.
Pull out a few face-framing pieces if you want a softer look. This style works great for all hair types and lengths past your shoulders.
Keep some bobby pins handy to tuck in any loose ends that bug you throughout the day.
2 Low Ponytail
The low ponytail is your go-to when you’re running late but still want to look put-together. Just brush your hair back, secure it with an elastic at the nape of your neck, and you’re done.
This style works on almost any hair length and texture. It keeps hair out of your face during classes and looks neat for presentations.
Want to dress it up? Wrap a small section of hair around the elastic to hide it. Takes an extra 30 seconds but makes a big difference.
3 Side Braid
The side braid is perfect when you want something cute but don’t have time for fancy styling. Just brush your hair to one side and create a loose braid starting near your ear.
This style works great for all hair types and keeps your hair neat during busy school days. You can make it messy for a relaxed vibe or keep it tight for a cleaner look.
The best part? It only takes three minutes and stays put all day long.
4 Half Updo
Want something fancier than a ponytail but still super quick? The half updo is your answer.
Just grab the top section of your hair and twist it back. Secure it with a hair tie or clip about halfway up your head.
This style works on almost any hair length and gives you that put-together look in under two minutes. Your hair stays out of your face, but you still get to show off your length. Perfect for when you want to look a little more dressed up without the extra effort.
5 Twisted Hair
Twisted hair looks fancy but takes just minutes to create. Simply grab small sections of hair and twist them away from your face, then pin them back with bobby pins.
This style works great for both long and medium-length hair. You can twist just the front pieces or create multiple twists throughout your hair for extra texture.
The best part? It stays put all day and gives you that "I tried" look without actually trying hard. Perfect for when you want something prettier than a ponytail but don’t have time for complex braids.
6 Top Knot
The top knot is your best friend when you’re running late. Just twist your hair up high and secure it with an elastic band.
This style works great for second-day hair or when you want to look put-together fast. Pull out a few face-framing pieces to soften the look if you want.
The messier it is, the more effortless it appears. Perfect for gym class, presentations, or any day you need your hair out of your face.
7 Dutch Braids
Dutch braids look fancy but they’re actually pretty easy once you get the hang of it. Start by parting your hair down the middle, then braid each side by crossing sections under instead of over.
The trick is to keep adding hair as you work your way down. Your braids will sit on top of your head instead of sinking in like regular braids.
This style works great for sports or busy school days since it keeps everything secure. Plus, you can sleep in Dutch braids and wake up with cute waves the next morning.
8 Sleek Bob
The sleek bob is perfect when you want to look put-together without much effort. Just run a brush through your hair and tuck it behind your ears.
If your hair tends to get messy overnight, spray a little water on it first. Then brush it smooth from roots to ends.
For extra polish, add a small amount of hair oil or serum to damp hair. This keeps flyaways under control and gives you that salon-fresh look.
The best part? This style works whether your bob is chin-length or hits your shoulders. You’ll be ready for school in under three minutes.
9 Headband Style
Headbands are a lifesaver when you’re running late. Just brush your hair and slide on a cute headband to instantly look put-together.
Pick a wide fabric headband for a boho vibe, or go with a thin metal one for something more classic. They work great on both straight and curly hair.
The best part? Headbands hide greasy roots and messy hair perfectly. Keep a few different styles in your backpack for those crazy morning rushes.
10 French Twist
The French twist looks fancy but takes just minutes to master. Simply gather your hair at the nape of your neck and twist it upward along your head.
Tuck the ends under and secure with bobby pins. This classic style works great for picture day or when you want to look put-together fast.
The best part? It keeps hair completely off your face during tests or presentations. Even if a few pieces fall out, it still looks good.
11 Pigtails
Pigtails are the ultimate quick fix for busy mornings. Just part your hair down the middle and tie each side with elastic bands.
This classic style works great for all hair types and keeps everything neat during PE class. You can place them high for a playful look or low for something more chill.
Want to jazz them up? Add colorful scrunchies or wrap small braids around the base. Takes less than two minutes and you’re ready to go.
12 Hair Clips
Hair clips are your best friend when you’re running late for school. Just twist a section of hair and clip it back – instant style in seconds.
Try clipping back your bangs or side pieces for a clean look. You can also gather hair from both sides and clip them together at the back of your head.
For something different, twist small sections and clip them with colorful or sparkly clips. This works great with both straight and curly hair.
The best part? Hair clips work on any hair length and take zero skill to master.
13 Side Part
The side part is a classic that works on almost any hair length. Just comb your hair to one side and you’re done – it takes less than 30 seconds.
This style looks put-together without any effort. It works great for both straight and wavy hair textures.
If your hair won’t stay in place, add a tiny bit of gel or hairspray. You can also pin one side behind your ear for a cleaner look.
14 Sock Bun
The sock bun is your best friend when you’re running late. Just throw your hair into a high ponytail and twist it around a sock donut or hair donut.
Secure with bobby pins and you’re done in under two minutes. It looks neat and stays put all day, even during gym class.
This style works great for thick or thin hair. You can make it messy for a casual look or sleek for something more polished.
15 Fishtail Braid
The fishtail braid looks way more complex than it actually is. You only need two sections instead of three, making it super easy once you get the hang of it.
Start by splitting your hair into two parts. Take a small piece from the outside of the left section and cross it over to the right section. Then grab a small piece from the outside right and cross it to the left.
Keep going until you reach the ends. The key is keeping those cross-over pieces thin – it creates that cool woven look that makes people think you’re a hair wizard.
16 Crown Braid
The crown braid looks way fancier than it actually is. Start by parting your hair down the middle, then braid each side loosely.
Wrap the braids around your head like a headband and pin them behind your ears. This style works great for medium to long hair and keeps everything out of your face during class.
The best part? It only takes about 4 minutes once you get the hang of it. Perfect for those days when you want to look put-together without much effort.
17 Hair Scarf
Having a bad hair day? A cute scarf can save you in seconds.
Simply tie a colorful scarf around your head like a headband. You can also wrap it around a low ponytail for an instant style upgrade.
Scarves work great when your hair feels greasy or messy. Pick bright patterns to add fun to your look, or choose solid colors that match your outfit.
The best part? It takes under a minute to tie on and looks like you spent way more time getting ready.
18 Double Buns
Two buns are better than one! This playful style works great when you want something fun but put-together.
Split your hair down the middle and gather each side into a high ponytail. Twist each ponytail and wrap it around the base to form buns. Secure with bobby pins.
The best part? Messy buns actually look better than perfect ones. Don’t stress if a few pieces fall out – it adds to the casual, effortless vibe that’s perfect for school.
19 Beach Waves
Scrunch some texturizing spray into damp hair and twist sections around your finger. Let it air dry while you get ready, or give it a quick blast with a diffuser.
This messy, beachy look works on any hair length. The best part? The more imperfect it looks, the better. No need for perfect curls here.
Just shake it out with your fingers when you’re done. You’ll have that effortless surfer-girl vibe without stepping foot near the ocean.
20 Straight Hair
Straight hair is perfect for quick morning styles. You can create sleek looks without much effort.
Try a simple side part with hair tucked behind one ear. This classic style takes under two minutes and looks put-together all day.
For something different, make a low ponytail and twist it into a loose bun. Secure with bobby pins and you’re done. The slightly messy look is trendy and works great for school.
A half-up style also works well. Just grab the top section of hair, twist it back, and clip it in place. It keeps hair out of your face during class.
