You just finished a long day at school, but as soon as you walk through the door…you’re stuck in that awkward in-between time. You want to be productive, but a nice nap + TikTok scroll also sounds soooo tempting.What’s a girl to do?

We’re breaking down the best after-school routine that *actually* works—so you can get things done and still have time to relax.

Press pause

Don’t jump straight into homework the second you get home. Give yourself about 20-30 minutes to relax (set a timer if you think you will get side-tracked). Change into your comfiest sweat set, grab a snack and do something low-energy to give your brain a well-deserved break. Scroll your feed, watch a YouTube vid or listen to your comfort playlist.

Taking a brief break will help separate school from the rest of your day, so you aren’t stuck carrying that stressed-out energy into the evening. Not to mention that it’ll refresh your brain—and ultimately make you more productive later on.

Now…lock in.

Once you’re recharged, it’s time to lock in. Set a timer for 45-60 minutes and focus on schoolwork. We know you love to have your phone on standby—but during lock-in hour, keep your phone on DND (or maybe even move it across the room).

Start with your easiest work and slowly move to the harder subjects to build momentum for your brain. If you have extra time after homework, study for an upcoming test, even if it’s not for another week or two. That way, you can get ahead of procrastination and feel more prepared.

Quick break!

After your power hour, step away for a quick reset. This is when you refill your water, stretch or grab another snack, but stay away from your phone. Avoid getting sucked into a full scroll session—this break is meant to refresh and motivate you. Bonus points if you check off what you’ve finished so far in your planner, because seeing progress will boost your motivation for the rest of the night.

Time for you

After getting all of your school responsibilities out of the way, this is your permission to take time for Y-O-U. Work on a passion project, write in your journal or reorganize your room while blasting your favorite T-Swift album. The key is doing something that fills you up and makes you feel creative. Even 20-30 minutes will boost your mood for the rest of the night.

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For more school advice, check out
🏫 Our Official A+ Study Soundtrack (that Actually Works)
🏫 Your Senior Year Bucket List: Make Every Moment Count
🏫 QUIZ! What Fictional School Does Your True Soul Belong At?

Top Image: @filmedbybrookexo
Body Images: @ccarolajna_i_bruno, @steph.xcix, @aniajarecka_, @includinglife