How to Get Ready for School in 10 Minutes

Co-authored by Katie Styzek

Last Updated: February 3, 2023 References

Waking up late for school with 10 minutes to spare can throw you for a loop, but it doesn't have to! A bit of preparation, organization, and planning the night before can help you by having everything ready in case you wake up late. With a bit of motivation, you can be ready in just 10 minutes!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Sticking to a Quick Routine

1
Get out of bed and take 2 minutes to throw on some clothes. Take a look out the window and note the weather—this will help you select the clothes that you need. Grab all of the bare necessities (shirt, pants, underwear) and put them on as quickly as you can. If you have your clothing organized and ready, this is much easier. Avoid wearing anything you don't need and skip the accessories.
- Grab a few things you don't have time to put on and throw them in your backpack—you can always put them on at school!
2
Wash your face with cold water and quickly brush your teeth in 2 minutes. Skip the flossing since you're in a rush. Give your teeth a quick brush (no longer than 1 minute) and use a quick splash of mouthwash afterward to make up for the rush. Splash your face with cold water instead of using a cleanser to save yourself more time and help you wake up.
- If you have time any time leftover at the end, quickly run a brush or comb through your hair.
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3
Apply concealer without foundation in 2 minutes if you wear makeup. Wash your hands and dry them thoroughly. Warm up the concealer between your fingers by rubbing them together and then apply to the needed areas around your face: acne, pimples, redness, scars, under eye circles. Dab or pat it gently onto your face, making sure to apply it evenly to avoid obvious shifts in the tone of your skin. You can also use a beauty blender instead of your fingers.^{[1]
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- Always stick to concealer without foundation when you're in a rush to save yourself some time.
4
Take 2 minutes to trim your beard with a razor if you have facial hair. Wet your hands with warm water and then rub your palms along your facial hair. Attach an electric razor with a plastic guard, turn it on, and drag it along the grain of your facial hair in long, smooth strokes. You can also use standard plastic razors with shaving cream, but this will take a bit longer.
- Apply a gentle but firm pressure to your razor as you trim your beard.
- Skip the beard trim if you're running low on time.
5
Spend 1 minute stocking your backpack. Fill it up with all of your pens, pencils, textbooks, and homework assignments. If you have a lunch packed, throw it in last and try to keep it separate from everything else.^{[2]
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- Keep your small items in a separate container to prevent them from getting loose.
6
Make your bed in 1 minute. Take off your pillows and blankets and tuck your sheets underneath your mattress. Afterwards, spread your blanket over the bed, ensuring that it hangs evenly over each side.^{[3]
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- If you're in a rush, skip making your bed to save time.
7
Grab a quick snack before you head out the door. Skip preparation and grab an energy bar or protein shake on your way to school. Be sure that it includes a good mix of protein, carbohydrates, and essential minerals.
- If you have the time, eat a quick breakfast in 1 to 2 minutes. Stick to simple meals with minimal preparation and include protein, high-fiber grains, fresh fruit, and vegetables. For example, 1 cup (340 grams) of cottage cheese, a bagel with peanut butter, and a banana takes minimal preparation
8
Double-check that you have everything you need for school. If you have time, take about 1 minute to look at yourself in the mirror and make a mental note of everything in your backpack. This way you will be ready to catch the bus! Try to be at the bus stop at least 5 minutes before the bus is ready to pick you up.
- If you have extra time, relax before you leave!

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Getting Organized the Night before School

1
Finish your homework before going to bed. Set aside a place and time each night to complete your homework. Don't rush through your work before school! This will never give you enough time to do a good job and will cut into the time you need to get dressed and ready for school.^{[4]
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- Use a planner to record all your assignments. Create a list of homework that you need to finish at the end of each school day. Be sure to keep up on the list throughout the night so that it's all done by the time bedtime hits.
2
Pick out your outfit for school the night before. Choose every piece of clothing, from your shirt to your socks and underwear. Lay your clothing out if you have the space or fold them up neatly and put them in a drawer. Get into a habit of doing this every night.^{[5]
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- Keep your storage location the same everyday so you know exactly where your clothes are when you're groggy in the morning!
3
Organize your shoes if you have multiple pairs. If you have lots of shoes, organize them before going to bed so you're not scrambling to find them in the morning. Purchase a shoe bin and make sure that each pair is organized and there are no loose or mismatched pairs.^{[6]
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- Keep the shoes you plan to wear near your outfit for the next day.
4
Pack your backpack the night before. Gather any textbooks, pencils, pens, and homework assignments that you need and put them into your backpack. This will save you from having to dig through your room in the morning.^{[7]
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- Keep your pens, pencils, and erasers in a small container to make them easier to store in your backpack.
- Keep your notebooks and folders organized, so that you can quickly find whatever you need.
5
Prepare your lunch the night before. Make your favorite sandwiches, prepare some snacks, and pour your drinks into a leakproof beverage container. Put everything you can into a lunchbox and keep your food in the refrigerator so you can grab it before you leave.^{[8]
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- Sandwiches, wraps, and soups are great choices for your lunch. Try to stick with whole grain breads and tortillas.
- Wash some fresh fruits and vegetables and pack them into Ziploc bags.
6
Shower or bathe in the evenings. Cleaning yourself in the shower or bath is a great way to relax in preparation for sleep, warm yourself up (or cool down), and avoid bringing any bacteria from your daily activities into your bed.^{[9]
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- Be sure to dry your hair thoroughly, as going to bed with wet hair can damage follicles.^{[10]
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Community Q&A

Question

What should I eat when getting ready for school in 10 minutes?

Community Answer

Grab a granola bar, protein bar, or a smoothie. You can buy pre-made smoothies at the store or you can make one the night before so it's ready in the morning.
Question

What do I do if I am totally stressed due to exams being tomorrow?

Community Answer

Remind yourself that stressing out about it is not going to accomplish anything, except perhaps make you feel worse. Take slow, deep breaths. Meditate. If you've prepared for the exams, tell yourself that you've worked hard, and all you can do now is put your best effort into taking the tests.
Question

What if I don't wear makeup, What can I do with my extra free time?

Community Answer

Double check you have everything you need in your bag, study for a few minutes, or just make sure you're happy with your outfit.