How To Survive Cosmetology School

Cosmetology school is unlike any other school or training program you’ll go to and it’s completely different from a standard college or university. The programs are different, the schools and campuses themselves are different and the overall atmosphere of the program is extremely different than what you would find at a general four year college. There are some two year schools or “junior” colleges that offer cosmetology degrees but it’s a lot more common for students to choose to attend a school that is specifically oriented around cosmetology and other related industries. These schools provide a very saturated and closed door environment for students that are focusing on a specific aspect of the cosmetology field and it can be a very different environment than attending a general four year college - for more than one reason.

Cosmetology schools tend to be filled mostly with students, usually young girls, who are looking to become hairstylists or estheticians and while having smaller groups of students (and thus smaller class sizes) is usually a benefit to students it can be something else altogether when it comes to cosmetology school. Because although the number of students in small beauty schools is significantly less than those attending four year institutions the difference is hat all of those students are pursuing the same thing and therefore - competing with each other. It’s no longer a goal to be the best in your class or even in your major - you’ve gotta be the best in your school to even remotely stand out. Because of this high level of competition you may find that the social aspect of being in cosmetology school is different than other colleges. Things are a lot more competitive and as a result you’re more likely to have to strive harder to be better than other students as well as to impress teachers and potential employers that may be affiliated with your school. On top of all that you’re constantly vying for resources such as clients to practice on, booths to work in, materials to use, and time to demonstrate your talents and skills. Plus, not to be biases, a class of mostly young girls can mean a lot of drama and emotions running on high. These are all things to be aware of going in which is why it’s so important to ask mentors or hairstylists you admire to recommend schools for you to go to. Ask which ones they liked, why, and especially - what the atmosphere of the school was like. Where people friendly, helpful and kind or was it a brutal, ruthless, struggle to win every day?

You also want to be aware that beauty school is all about practice and if you aren’t getting enough time to work on actual clients and learn you’re going to have to fight for it. Sometimes this simply means making yourself available to meet with more clients and earn more practice hours and other times it can mean you may have to go out on your own and either get a mentor or find a way to solicit more clients in to practice on to be sure that you’re getting all the education you need. Cosmetology school will do yo zero good if you aren’t actually practicing anything that you are learning.

Remember that grades aren’t everything. While it’s important to do well in your program, not only to impress potential employers and clients but also so that you are making good use of the money you are investing into cosmetology school the grades that you’re receiving aren’t everything and if you spend the entire program with your nose buried in a  hairstyle magazine you’ll be missing out on big opportunities. Cosmetology school can provide you with a wealth of information and experience but not all of it is going to be in the classroom. You need to be aware of other instructors, assistants, and even alumni of the school that can be a valuable resource to a young learning student. Don’t limit yourself to learning from just a handful of teachers - take your education on and really make an effort to broaden your horizons. Learn anything that anyone will teach you - take difficult clients or new tasks and do the best you can to absorb new information and processes so that you can make use of them in the future. Seek out a mentor or other instructors that may be able to give you tools and knowledge that previous ones couldn’t. If you come across students in the class that have experience or know things that you don’t then make a point of learning what you can from them - never turn down an opportunity to grow, shine or stand out as someone who is ambitious and motivated in their class.

When it comes to the drama and behavior of students in the class be careful not to make any enemies. Though there are a great deal of students who pursue cosmetology you may be surprised to find out what a small world it is. Word of things will get around very quickly so always be on your best behavior regardless of whether it’s with a client, a fellow student, a teacher, or anyone else. Try not to get involved in any petty behavior during cosmetology school because it will only detract from your experience there and it can take the focus off of your studies and learning which is the last thing that you want. Be sure to make friends when possible but to otherwise stay away from any social anxiety or problems that could put a black mark on your reputation.

The most important thing you can do to survive cosmetology school is to always be ready for anything that comes your way. Be flexible, adaptable, and ready to take on new challenges whenever they might present themselves. Cosmetology school can be a great experience if you go about it the right way and are responsible not only with your school work but with the way you interact with teachers, school employees, and especially other students because you never know who might be an important player in the industry in the long term. Be organized, focused on your studies, and making friends whenever you can without getting caught up in the drama of it all and you’ll be just fine.