To curl your locks in a hurry, I think the easiest way is to use a straightener. All you need to do is almost use it as a curling iron- but it takes so much less time! Just wrap around and use it like curling iron, they'll look different than with a curler but still super cute and less time consuming.
Also, you could go with a messy curl. Wear it in braids overnight than (obviously then you'd have waves) then you could throw a few curls in quickly, then shake it out for a quick messy cute style!