Hairstyles for College Students: 37 Easy and Cute Ideas Including Short Long Curly and Natural Styles

College is a time of transformation and self-expression, and your hairstyle is a significant part of how you present yourself. In 2024, hairstyles for college students are all about blending convenience with style. Whether you’re running late for a lecture or prepping for a night out, these hairstyle ideas are perfect for every occasion. Let’s dive into the top 37 hairstyles that will make you look effortlessly chic on campus.

Messy Bun

The messy bun is a timeless classic that never goes out of style. It’s easy, cute, and perfect for those early mornings when you’re running late for class. This hairstyle works well with almost any face shape and is especially flattering for those with natural waves or curls. The messy bun gives off a relaxed, carefree vibe, making it ideal for casual outings or study sessions in the library.

To create this look, gather your hair into a loose ponytail and twist it into a bun. Secure it with bobby pins and pull out a few strands to frame your face. A texturizing spray can add volume and hold. For maintenance, a dry shampoo like Batiste is perfect for keeping your hair fresh and voluminous.

High Ponytail

The high ponytail is a versatile and stylish choice for college students. It’s perfect for keeping hair out of your face during intense study sessions or workouts. This hairstyle suits all face shapes and adds a touch of sophistication to any outfit. Pair it with a sleek, simple front section for a polished look.

To achieve a high ponytail, brush your hair to remove any tangles, gather it at the crown of your head, and secure it with a hair tie. Use a smoothing serum like John Frieda Frizz Ease to tame flyaways and add shine. For added flair, wrap a small section of hair around the hair tie to conceal it.

Braided Crown

The braided crown is a beautiful and romantic hairstyle that’s perfect for special occasions. It’s an excellent choice for students with long hair and works best with oval or heart-shaped faces. This style adds a touch of elegance to your look, making it ideal for date nights or formal events.

To create a braided crown, part your hair in the middle and braid each side. Wrap the braids over the top of your head and secure them with bobby pins. A hairspray like L’Oréal Elnett can keep your braids in place all day. To maintain the style, use a lightweight conditioner to keep your hair smooth and manageable.

Beach Waves

Beach waves are perfect for achieving that effortlessly chic look. This hairstyle is ideal for students with curly or wavy hair and suits all face shapes. Beach waves give off a laid-back, bohemian vibe, making them perfect for casual outings or weekend trips.

To achieve beach waves, use a curling wand to create loose curls, then run your fingers through them to break them up. A sea salt spray like Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray can add texture and hold. To maintain the look, use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to keep your curls hydrated and bouncy.

Sleek Bob

The sleek bob is a modern and stylish haircut that’s perfect for college students. It’s a low-maintenance option for those with short hair and suits all face shapes. The sleek bob exudes confidence and sophistication, making it ideal for interviews or presentations.

To style a sleek bob, blow-dry your hair straight and use a flat iron for a smooth finish. Apply a shine serum like Moroccanoil Treatment to add gloss and tame any flyaways. To keep your bob looking fresh, use a sulfate-free shampoo to maintain the cut’s sharpness.

Half-Up Half-Down

The half-up half-down hairstyle is a perfect blend of casual and elegant. It’s a great choice for students with long hair and suits all face shapes. This style keeps your hair out of your face while allowing you to showcase your hair’s length and texture.

To create this look, gather the top section of your hair and secure it with a hair tie or clip. You can leave the bottom section straight or add curls for extra volume. A texturizing spray like Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray can add lift and hold to the top section. To maintain this style, use a leave-in conditioner to keep your hair smooth and tangle-free.

Low Bun

The low bun is a chic and sophisticated hairstyle that’s perfect for college students. It’s a great choice for those with long hair and suits all face shapes. The low bun is ideal for formal events or professional settings, adding a touch of elegance to your look.

To create a low bun, gather your hair at the nape of your neck and twist it into a bun. Secure it with bobby pins and use a smoothing serum to tame any flyaways. A hairspray like TRESemmé Extra Hold can keep your bun in place all day. To maintain this style, use a deep conditioning treatment to keep your hair healthy and shiny.

Space Buns

Space buns are a fun and playful hairstyle that’s perfect for college students. This style is great for students with short hair or medium-length hair and suits all face shapes. Space buns are ideal for concerts, festivals, or any event where you want to stand out.

To create space buns, part your hair down the middle and create two high ponytails. Twist each ponytail into a bun and secure them with bobby pins. A texturizing spray can add volume and hold. To maintain this style, use a clarifying shampoo to remove any product buildup.

Side Braid

The side braid is a simple and elegant hairstyle that’s perfect for college students. It’s a great choice for students with long hair and suits all face shapes. The side braid is perfect for casual outings or romantic dates, adding a touch of whimsy to your look.

To create a side braid, gather your hair to one side and braid it down. Secure the end with a hair tie and use a texturizing spray to add volume and hold. To maintain this style, use a hydrating shampoo and conditioner to keep your hair smooth and manageable.

Afro Puff

The afro puff is a bold and stylish hairstyle that’s perfect for students with natural hair. It’s a great choice for students with oval or round face shapes. The afro puff is perfect for casual outings or cultural events, showcasing your natural texture and volume.

To create an afro puff, gather your hair at the crown of your head and secure it with a hair tie. Use a pick to fluff out your puff for maximum volume. A moisturizing cream like SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie can keep your curls hydrated and defined. To maintain this style, use a sulfate-free shampoo and a deep conditioning treatment regularly.

Classic Ponytail

The classic ponytail is a timeless hairstyle that’s perfect for college students. It’s an easy and simple look that suits all face shapes and is great for any occasion, from attending lectures to hitting the gym. This versatile style keeps your hair out of your face while giving you a polished appearance.

To achieve a classic ponytail, brush your hair to remove any tangles and gather it at the desired height on your head. Secure it with a hair tie, and you’re good to go. For a sleek finish, use a smoothing serum like John Frieda Frizz Ease. To maintain the style, use a volumizing shampoo and conditioner to keep your hair looking full and healthy.

Loose Waves

Loose waves are perfect for a relaxed, beachy look that’s effortlessly stylish. This hairstyle is ideal for students with long hair and works well with all face shapes. Loose waves add a touch of romance and are great for casual outings or parties.

To create loose waves, use a large barrel curling iron to curl sections of your hair. Run your fingers through the curls to loosen them up. A sea salt spray like Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray can add texture and hold. To maintain the look, use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to keep your hair soft and hydrated.

Top Knot

The top knot is a trendy and practical hairstyle that’s perfect for college students. It’s a great choice for students with short hair or medium-length hair and suits all face shapes. The top knot is ideal for keeping your hair off your face during workouts or study sessions.

To create a top knot, gather your hair into a high ponytail and twist it into a bun. Secure it with bobby pins and pull out a few strands to frame your face. A texturizing spray can add volume and hold. To maintain this style, use a dry shampoo to keep your hair looking fresh.

Side Swept Bangs

Side swept bangs are a stylish and flattering addition to any hairstyle. They work well with curly or straight hair and suit all face shapes. Side swept bangs can add a touch of glamour to your look, making them perfect for both casual and formal occasions.

To style side swept bangs, blow dry them using a round brush to create volume and shape. Use a lightweight hairspray like TRESemmé Extra Hold to keep them in place. To maintain this style, use a smoothing shampoo and conditioner to keep your hair frizz-free.

Double Dutch Braids

Double Dutch braids are a fun and sporty hairstyle that’s perfect for college students. This style is ideal for students with long hair and suits all face shapes. Double Dutch braids are great for keeping your hair secure during workouts or outdoor activities.

To create double Dutch braids, part your hair down the middle and braid each side using the Dutch braiding technique. Secure the ends with hair ties and use a texturizing spray for added hold. To maintain this style, use a leave-in conditioner to keep your hair smooth and manageable.

Low Ponytail

The low ponytail is a sleek and sophisticated hairstyle that’s perfect for college students. It’s a great choice for those with long hair and suits all face shapes. The low ponytail is ideal for professional settings or formal events.

To create a low ponytail, gather your hair at the nape of your neck and secure it with a hair tie. Use a smoothing serum to tame any flyaways and add shine. To maintain this style, use a deep conditioning treatment to keep your hair healthy and shiny.

Fishtail Braid

The fishtail braid is a beautiful and intricate hairstyle that’s perfect for college students. It’s a great choice for students with long hair and suits all face shapes. The fishtail braid adds a touch of elegance to your look, making it ideal for date nights or special occasions.

To create a fishtail braid, divide your hair into two sections and take a small piece from the outer edge of one section, crossing it over to the other section. Repeat this process until you reach the end of your hair and secure it with a hair tie. A texturizing spray can add volume and hold. To maintain this style, use a hydrating shampoo and conditioner to keep your hair smooth and manageable.

Half-Up Top Knot

The half-up top knot is a stylish and versatile hairstyle that’s perfect for college students. It’s a great choice for students with medium or long hair and suits all face shapes. The half-up top knot keeps your hair out of your face while adding a trendy touch to your look.

To create a half-up top knot, gather the top section of your hair into a high ponytail and twist it into a bun. Secure it with bobby pins and leave the rest of your hair down. A texturizing spray can add volume and hold. To maintain this style, use a leave-in conditioner to keep your hair smooth and tangle-free.

Curly Bob

The curly bob is a chic and modern hairstyle that’s perfect for college students with curly hair. It suits all face shapes and adds a playful touch to your look. The curly bob is ideal for both casual and formal occasions, making it a versatile choice for any event.

To style a curly bob, use a diffuser attachment on your blow dryer to enhance your natural curls. Apply a curl-enhancing mousse like DevaCurl Frizz-Free Volumizing Foam to add definition and hold. To maintain this style, use a sulfate-free shampoo and a deep conditioning treatment regularly.

Braided Bun

The braided bun is an elegant and sophisticated hairstyle that’s perfect for college students. It’s a great choice for students with long hair and suits all face shapes. The braided bun is ideal for formal events or professional settings, adding a touch of class to your look.

To create a braided bun, gather your hair into a high ponytail and braid it. Twist the braid into a bun and secure it with bobby pins. Use a smoothing serum to tame any flyaways and add shine. To maintain this style, use a deep conditioning treatment to keep your hair healthy and shiny.

Waterfall Braid

The waterfall braid is a romantic and intricate hairstyle that’s perfect for college students. This style is ideal for students with long hair and suits all face shapes. The waterfall braid is perfect for special occasions, adding a touch of elegance and whimsy to your look.

To create a waterfall braid, start with a regular braid on one side of your head and drop one strand after each crossover, picking up a new strand from underneath. Continue this pattern around your head and secure the end with a hair tie. Use a light hairspray like TRESemmé Extra Hold to keep the braid in place. To maintain this style, use a hydrating shampoo and conditioner to keep your hair smooth and manageable.

Bubble Ponytail

The bubble ponytail is a fun and playful hairstyle that’s perfect for college students. This style is great for students with long hair and suits all face shapes. The bubble ponytail adds a unique twist to the classic ponytail, making it ideal for casual outings or themed parties.

To create a bubble ponytail, start with a high ponytail and secure it with a hair tie. Add additional hair ties down the length of the ponytail, spacing them out evenly. Gently pull on the sections between the hair ties to create “bubbles.” A texturizing spray like Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray can add volume and hold. To maintain this style, use a clarifying shampoo to remove any product buildup.

French Twist

The French twist is a sophisticated and timeless hairstyle that’s perfect for college students. It’s an excellent choice for those with long hair and suits all face shapes. The French twist is ideal for formal events or professional settings, adding a touch of elegance to your look.

To create a French twist, gather your hair at the nape of your neck and twist it upwards, tucking the ends into the roll. Secure the twist with bobby pins and use a smoothing serum to tame any flyaways. A light hairspray like L’Oréal Elnett can keep the twist in place all day. To maintain this style, use a deep conditioning treatment to keep your hair healthy and shiny.

Space Buns with Braids

Space buns with braids are a trendy and fun hairstyle that’s perfect for college students. This style is great for students with medium to long hair and suits all face shapes. Space buns with braids are ideal for festivals, concerts, or any event where you want to stand out.

To create this look, part your hair down the middle and create two Dutch braids starting at the hairline. Once you reach the crown of your head, twist the remaining hair into buns and secure them with bobby pins. Use a texturizing spray for added volume and hold. To maintain this style, use a leave-in conditioner to keep your hair smooth and manageable.

Pin-Up Curls

Pin-up curls are a vintage-inspired hairstyle that’s perfect for college students looking to add a touch of retro glamour to their look. This style is ideal for students with short to medium-length hair and suits all face shapes. Pin-up curls are perfect for themed parties or special occasions.

To create pin-up curls, use a curling iron to create tight curls and pin them in place with bobby pins. Allow the curls to cool before removing the pins. Brush through the curls gently to create soft waves. Use a strong hold hairspray like Kenra Volume Spray to keep the curls in place. To maintain this style, use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to keep your hair soft and hydrated.

Choosing the right hairstyle can make a big difference in how you feel and present yourself as a college student. From the simple and chic to the bold and playful, there’s a hairstyle for everyone in 2024. Whether you’re rocking an Indian braid or a Korean inspired look, these styles will help you stand out and feel confident. Don’t forget to share your favorite styles in the comments and let us know which ones you’ll be trying this year!