LIFE

We get it—school can feel incredibly monotonous, especially this time of year, when the weather's still cold and everything feels so...meh. You’ve probably fallen into the all-too-familiar cycle of burnout, exhaustion and demotivation. But what if we told you there are fun, aesthetic ways to turn school from a chore into an adventure? From elevating your OOTDs to shifting your mindset, these six tips will help you break free from the drudgery and actually enjoy your school days.

1. Adjust Your Mindset

@ana.stowell

Don’t see school as a drag—see it as your ticket to the future you want. A good education is the key to landing your dream job. Imagine future you, living your best life with a job you love. She didn’t get there by slacking off—she showed up and made it happen. Now think about what she'd be doing rn: tackling that AP Lit essay or scrolling on TikTok? Any time you feel your confidence and academic power waning, imagine that unstoppable future version of you…and suddenly school doesn’t seem so bad.

2. Make Studying Fun

@studylustre

Hitting the books doesn’t have to be boring! The trick is making your space cozy and inviting. Decorate your desk with vases, books, light candles and play some Lofi study ambiance on your laptop. You’ll be surprised at how much more you want to dive into your work when your space feels like a chill retreat. If you need extra motivation, try creating a study group—it's a fun way to be productive, stay accountable and help each other with tough subjects.

3. Playlists, Playlists, Playlists

@spencer.barbosa

Almost every mundane task is instantly boosted when you have a playlist to set the mood (Barbie soundtrack while vacuuming, anyone?). Make Spotify your study buddy by creating playlists to fill all the hours spent hunched over quadratic equations. You'll feel more excited to study and less bored while doing it. Some of our fave playlists linked here: Lofi hiphop radio, rainy coffee shop, spring playlist and classical playlist.

4. Dress Like A Main Character

@2002princesss

Studies show that what you wear impacts how you feel, thanks to something called enclothed cognition. It’s a mix of what your clothes represent (like plaid skirts and academic vibes) and how they make you feel (hello, flowy dress magic). Your fave movie characters didn’t rule the halls in sweats, right? Take a cue from icons like Elle Woods and Blair Waldorf—wear something that makes you feel confident and ready to own the day.

5. Create A Better Work/Life Balance

@itsgretawilson

As important as grades are, constant pressure and focusing only on school can lead to burnout. Make sure to carve out time for yourself every day—whether it’s self-care, a new hobby or hanging with friends. Try crocheting for an hour, taking a solo Starbucks trip, walking your dog while listening to your favorite podcast or playing a quick tennis match with your sister. Trust us, life feels way fuller when success isn’t your only drive.

6. Build A Solid Morning Routine

@olafflee

How you wake up sets the mood for your entire day. Hitting snooze five times feels easy, but it’s the mood killer you’re trying to avoid. When you wake up early, make your bed, wash your face and have a healthy breakfast, you start the day feeling accomplished—even before tackling anything! That positive energy will carry you through. For more tips on building your routine, check out this article.

Check us out on Insta @girlslifemag for more tips on school, crushes, and life!

More school tips, right this way...

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by Georgia Marshall | 3/23/2025