"Just a Little While" received mostly positive reviews from critics, who praised its contrast from Jackson's general style. "Billboard", predicting the song to be "another immediate radio hit," commended the "festive, guitar-based" song, stating, "Janet Jackson knows how to make a great single." Billboard added that the song showcases Jackson's "signature fashion" of crafting lyrics which appeared "innocent on the surface yet naughty upon closer inspection." "Rolling Stone" considered it "push-button rock & roll", while "The Record" praised its "fun, loose production." Eric R. Danton of "The Courant" said the track "features a discernible melody, a catchy vocal hook, a prominent, up-tempo guitar riff that helps the tune stand out from the dross." Rich Juzwiak of "The Village Voice" declared it "her virgin/whore-iest moment yet", in addition to Jackson's "most self-sufficient" single. Juzwiak wrote, "Forget about ripping off clothes—Janet Jackson just wants a zipless fuck," adding "like a moth to a flame is Janet's hand to her strawberry (her words!). She's so eager to please that even if the quickie she solicits in the chorus doesn't go down, she'll "touch it on favorite fruit" anyway."