If you’ve made the decision to enroll in cosmetology school, you might be anticipating what this experience will be like. Like any rewarding endeavor, you must put in the work to earn the reward. Cosmetology school is no different, and despite what people might think, learning the skills and techniques you need to be a professional cosmetologist takes work and discipline. The things in life you are passionate about are worth persevering for, and the months of training are worth it once you’re a fully licensed cosmetologist.
These are the things you should mentally prepare for when you sign up for cosmetology school – we know you can rise to the challenge and become a professional cosmetologist.
Time Management
Whenever you go to school, using your time and making sure you concentrate on your studies is a challenge. If you are working and going to school, it becomes even more of a challenge. The pressure that is on you can be intense, so managing your time effectively becomes critical.
Cosmetology training is something that requires focus and being wholly present. Learning new techniques and showing up ready to concentrate takes energy, and depending on how many other responsibilities you’re juggling in your life, it may require saying no to things you might otherwise enjoy if you weren’t going to school. Pushing through the weeks and months and starting your new career is worth it, though. Prepare to treat cosmetology school like a job – you must show up and give it your best.
Going to school while working a part-time or full-time job is an additional challenge. If you must balance childcare with beauty school, that is also a big challenge. You still need time to study your coursework and practical skills, and using your time wisely will be more important than ever.
Remember that most cosmetology schools have a required minimum attendance. You’re required to get a certain number of clock hours before you can sit for the State Board exam. In California, you need 1000 hours; some other states may be up to 1500 hours. Keep in mind, each day in the classroom in most cosmetology schools is between six and eight hours. Budget your time wisely each week, and leave time for the rest of your obligations, personal maintenance, and sleep. Time management is probably the biggest challenge for most cosmetology students.
Learning New Skills Isn’t as Easy as it Looks
Technical skills with come with time and practice. Don’t be discouraged when learning new techniques and you don’t get it correct right away. There’s so much practice involved, developing mental and muscle memory skills, and every great cosmetologist has been through this hurdle. Be patient and keep working through it, your hands will develop dexterity and precision with practice.
Holding scissors, shears, and clippers and cutting hair sounds easy, but it takes practice to make it flow naturally. Many advanced coloring techniques like balayage, corrective coloring, and foiling take experience to perfect.
Even after you earn your certification, beauty styles are always evolving, and you’ll need to keep up with changing trends. Learning new techniques will get easier with time and experience.
Learning Some Biology, Anatomy, and Science
It surprises many cosmetology students to learn that they must study anatomy, science, and biology to prepare for the certification exam. Some things that might be on your cosmetology certification exam include medical terms for bones in the face, names of skin diseases, and certain chemical reactions. Because cosmetologists work with clients doing haircutting, skin care, and nail care, they must know these things to ensure public safety. Understanding the science behind chemical processing, hair relaxers, and hair dyes help keep clients’ hair healthy. Being knowledgeable of how certain products interact with the skin and scalp is also crucial for working as a professional cosmetologist. Studying which product can help treat certain skin conditions, and following proper equipment sanitization processes ensures that your clients are safe and healthy.
Physical Demands
Some people are not prepared for the physical requirements in being a cosmetologist. You will be on your feet all day long, so wearing a pair of comfortable, arch supporting shoes is a must. If you’re working a day job and going to night classes (or vice versa) be aware this must be something you’re prepared for. If you’re not used to this, back and leg aches may be something that you feel at the end of the day. Because you work with your hands as a cosmetologist, stretching is a preventative measure to avoid strains and sprains. Carpal tunnel can be an obstacle for some students if you’re working and going to school. Be sure to take breaks, get enough sleep each day, and pace yourself through your day and your obligations.
Avoiding Burnout and Stress
People who are working and going to school, or going to cosmetology school while dealing with other issues may deal with stress or burnout. Prioritize sleep and eating nutritiously if you are pursuing a cosmetology education while working a full-time job. Many people go to cosmetology school to work on improving their lives, but make sure you have energy to maintain your pace through the months of school.
Dealing with Demanding Clients
The student salon is where you will practice and hone your practical skills. You must consult with your clients and listen to what they want their desired result to be. Then you’re focusing on getting the haircut or skin treatment “just right”. You’re practicing the hair styling techniques you’ve learned thus far, but you’re also learning how to deal with customer expectations. Some clients will be very particular about how they want their hair to look. If clients are ever disappointed, and their hair doesn’t turn out how they envisioned – you must diffuse the situation and work and building a long-term client relationship. Your customer service skills are every bit as important as your cosmetology skills in building your clientele.
Using Soft Skills Under Pressure
As a cosmetologist in training, you’ll spend time helping clients in the student salon. You’ll need to use soft skills like interpersonal communication and active listening to help them achieve the styles they are looking for. Not every client is the most understanding when there’s an issue. In cases where they are unhappy or agitated, you must stay calm and keep things professional. Learning how to resolve conflict on the salon floor is a skill you’ll need throughout your hairstyling career. It only takes one bad interaction to lose a client in the professional world, so learning how to practice empathy and solve problems with a calm demeanor is one of the most important things you can learn in cosmetology school.
Passing the State Board Exams
Once you complete your cosmetology program, you have one more important step – passing the State Cosmetology Board exam. Different states have different requirements. Some states have both a written and practical component to their exam. In California, as of January 1, 2022 only a written component to the exam. The California exam is 100 scored questions, 10 pretest questions and applicants have 120 minutes to complete the exam.
If you have anxiety about passing the exam, just remember, the months of training and study you’ve gone through in cosmetology school have prepared you for this moment. Your instructors have been helping you learn the information you’ll need to pass the exam and get certified.
The exam will cover lots of safety and sanitation questions, anatomy, and product chemistry. If your state has a practical exam, it will focus on demonstrating cutting, styling, and sanitization techniques. The State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology is focused on consumer safety, so remember that studying for these types of questions is crucial in the weeks leading up to the exam date. To prepare, take practice tests to test your knowledge.
Become a Licensed Cosmetologist at Campus Sacramento
If you’ve always dreamed of being a cosmetologist, you can earn your certification in a professional programs at our Sacramento cosmetology school. Paul Mitchell the School at Campus Sacramento has an elite world-class program that will teach you the skills you need to start your career. You’ll learn from some of the best in the industry. For more information on start dates, tuition, day and night schedules, and financial aid contact our friendly Admissions team or call 888-675-2460 today.