# An after school routine that leaves time for you

The hours after school go fast. A simple routine gets homework done before it is late, so the evening still has room for you. These eight steps take about two hours, breaks and fun included. Swap the order around to fit your day.

8 steps, about 2 hours.

## The steps

1. **Empty your bag** (2 min; Weekdays, Evening). Lunch box to the kitchen, papers on the desk, bag in its spot. Two minutes now saves a hunt in the morning.
2. **A snack and a drink** (10 min; Weekdays, Evening). Something to eat and something to drink, sitting down. You have had a long day: eat first, then think about homework.
3. **Get outside or move** (15 min; Weekdays, Evening). A walk, a bike ride, shooting hoops, dancing in your room. Anything that is not a screen and gets you moving.
4. **Check what is due** (3 min; Weekdays, Evening). Look at your planner or school app and list today's homework, with what is due first at the top.
5. **Homework in short blocks** (50 min; Weekdays, Evening). Phone in another room, one subject at a time, 25 minutes on and 5 off. If you get stuck, mark the question and come back to it.
6. **One chore** (10 min; 3 times a week, Evening). Walk the dog, set the table, empty the dishwasher, water the plants. Ten minutes of help, then you are done.
7. **Pack for tomorrow** (5 min; Weekdays, Evening). Books, charger, sports kit, anything you need to hand in. Put the bag by the door.
8. **Time that is yours** (30 min; Weekdays, Evening). Music, drawing, games, friends, a show. It is part of the routine on purpose, so enjoy it without feeling guilty.

## The routine at a glance

| Step | Time | Why |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1. Empty your bag | 2 min | Nothing lost tomorrow |
| 2. A snack and a drink | 10 min | A real pause after school |
| 3. Get outside or move | 15 min | A break that is not a screen |
| 4. Check what is due | 3 min | No surprises late at night |
| 5. Homework in short blocks | 50 min | Short blocks are easier to start |
| 6. One chore | 10 min | Your share at home, done early |
| 7. Pack for tomorrow | 5 min | A calmer morning |
| 8. Time that is yours | 30 min | Something to look forward to |
| In all | about 2 hours | |

## The 10-minute version

Practice, a club, a long day? Do these three, and the rest can wait for tomorrow.

- Empty your bag, 2 min
- Check what is due, 3 min
- Pack for tomorrow, 5 min

## Make this routine in Cozy

Each step becomes a habit card that fills with color as you tick it off, in the order you do them, with a streak that forgives a hard day. [Cozy](https://www.cozyhabittracker.com/) is a cute habit tracker for iPhone and Android.

## Make it stick

### Snack first, then homework

Coming home hungry and starting homework straight away is hard. Eat, take a short break, then start within the hour so the break does not swallow the evening.

### Use a 25-minute timer

The short blocks from [the study routine](https://www.cozyhabittracker.com/routines/study-routine) work for homework too: 25 minutes on, 5 minutes off, phone in another room.

### Weekdays only

In Cozy, set these habits to Weekdays so they rest at the weekend. On a day with practice or a late class, skip it and your streak stays.

## Questions people ask

### What should I do after school?

Eat something, take a real break, then do homework in short blocks before the evening gets late. Save time that is just yours for the end, so there is something to look forward to.

### Should I do homework right after school?

Many people find it easier after a snack and a short break. Try to start within an hour of getting home, so it is done before the evening.

### How do I make my own after school routine?

Write down what you do every weekday, put it in order, and give homework a set start time. If you are not sure which habit to begin with, try [this short quiz](https://www.cozyhabittracker.com/quizzes/which-habit-should-i-start).

### How do I stop scrolling after school?

Charge your phone in another room during homework and give it back to yourself in the time that is yours. Waiting is easier when you know it is coming.

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This page on the web: https://www.cozyhabittracker.com/routines/after-school-routine