Cosmetology school graduates...come hither!

[ZeppHead]

Also, dont let the young girls chase you out of there! If you want to do this, do it. Dont let other people stop your dream, really. You wont get anywhere in life if you do that with everything. And honestly, you wont be working with them. Just get through the school, which isnt really that long and ignore them.

[Vrindi]

So today was my first day at cosmetology school. Honestly I'm seriously overwhelmed. I don't mind learning the science behind it and reading the textbooks, but putting the actual practice into play is kinda hard for me. I don't have the best dexterity, and learning how to properly part/section the hair into quadrants is causing me some grief. If I can't even do that, how can I do anything else? That's like the basics. I know it's my first day, but I'm just paranoid that I'm not good enough and that it takes special talent that you're just born with or whatever... We also did some hair "relaxing" today (with shaving cream, not actual chemicals) and I did okay on that, except again, with the sectioning. Ugh.

Anybody who has been through school have any advice? I don't wanna quit yet, but I think I have till the 13th to make a final decision. It's a lot of money, and I want to make sure it's worth it.

I'm a ballerina. I was TERRIBLE at it when I first started! Horrible! But I loved it and kept working, and then something clicked. It turns out there was actual talent under there after all. Sometimes, talent is obvious, and work just improves it. Sometimes, talent is actually earned first, and then things start to fall into place. Just remember that everyone who is really amazing at something sucked in the beginning somewhere too. Don't get hard on yourself. Just practice. If cosmetology was something really easy, we wouldn't need cosmetologists, would we? You can do this.

[Kaelee]

I was told straight out by one woman that I'd never be good at this, and that I should drop out. I didn't, and three years later I passed top of my year and got awards (and monetary gifts, pantpant!) from two major industry suppliers. I couldn't get into an art school to do my degree because I can't draw well enough. Galleries won't take my work because of this. But I love what I do and damn it I will make it work, because I want to. I sell my pieces online, I break myself trying so that I can take my work to craft exhibitions and get my work out there.

Galleries....won't take your work because you don't have a degree? What....the....&$%! I thought it was supposed to be about ART. Not having a degree.

I'm interested in seeing your work...PM me a link? (I'm pretty sure you can't share it on here because you're selling your stuff, but you can PM it!)

[Vrindi]

Also, I'm an actress. If ever there was a career where people will say nasty things about you, will constantly tell you that you're not good enough, that you should just quit, and that if you don't put up with all kinds of abuse (and casting couches) then you don't really want it badly enough, and go find something else to do, then acting is that career.

Every day I ask myself why do I want to be an actress. I must be crazy. I've spent the last 2 years trying to stabilize financially and heal physically and emotionally, and now am back to pursuing acting seriously. Why do I do this? Because not doing it is far, far worse. I feel a part of me curl up and wither whenever I think about turning my back on acting. There is some abuse that I have to be able to withstand, and just not take it personally. There are other abuses that I don't have to put up with, and I have every right to walk away from someone who is being unprofessional and trying to bully me into doing something that I don't want to do. I am not a door mat. This is my art, and I take it seriously. This is what I do. If you want this, keep working. Ignore the haters, and soon you will be much more skilled than they are, and you will not be working with them.

When I was in grad school, my class was a bunch of insecure, back-stabbing, nasty little whining snipes. Graduate school! And they acted like 6th grade mean girls! I didn't talk to any of them. I went to class, did my work, and left class to pursue the rest of my life without them. They hounded me the whole time. I gave them no notice. They're still whining brats, while I'm actually living my dream.

These people don't decide your future, you do.

[chelssix]

The first time I ever wrapped a perm on a doll head, it took me six hours.

Parting and sectioning gets WAY easier, and I don't know if you're allowed to work on people and not mannequins yet, but it's a million times easier to work on real humans. Everything will get easier, but I know that in the beginning, it's overwhelming. People are catty and competitive (but keep your focus on getting better and improving your skills and eventually they'll be coming to you for help! It happened to me) and you're probably learning how to do things you've never even thought of doing (because why would you practice parting hair in nine sections for a perm?!) But you'll get there, and by the time you get to your exam you'll have it totally down. I remember being TERRIFIED of my exam and being timed at first, but I passed with flying colors.

I hope you stick with it. PM me if you ever want to talk!

[Xxanderia]

Don't let the catty attitudes of the other girls get you down. I am going through the same exact thing at my school right now. I'm 22, and all of the girls being horrible are all older than me! I don't get how it works, but somehow it just does.

I have to constantly remind myself every day that I am here for ME, not to be bothered and badgered by them. Let them continue to gossip about teachers and other students. The staff and teachers will pick up on it. One of the teachers I have right now is an absolute horror, but I smile and stay to myself and do my damned hardest at what I am doing, and the other girls fool around and gossip, and they are the ones who get stuck with the dirty work. You are there for YOU.

Sometimes it takes a little while to get into the groove of things as far as knowing whether or not you really want to do this. You may hate the first month, but then when you go to do a different segment, it might just click for you. Whatever you do just don't let the drama get to you. I have two months left of my nine month program, and I can't wait to get away from the girls, but I also can't wait to be in this career. There ARE places that exist beyond school that are drama free. You just have to search a little harder for them.

[tokidokichi]

I've been doing hair for 5 years and I am currently working to get my cosmetology instructor lisense. Trust me, almost no one is good at sectioning at first. It feels awkward and is very frustrating for a lot of students. Your dexterity will get better and better as you go along. You can do it! Also, I used to be very shy and thin skinned. Cosmetology school was very good for me and it has helped me come out of my shell and be more sociable with people. As for the catty girls, do your best to ignore them. Don't play their little games, you're better. And also, most salons are NOT full of catty stylists. I have worked in many salons and all of the stylists have been very friendly and supportive of each other.

[akilina]

Try not to get too stressed out, seriously!!!
Believe when they say that 50% of people will drop out, and dont be one of those people.

I look at it like....either way you are going to have to pay for all of the education after a certain point, and if you are going to spend all the time and money, most definitely get your license. It sounds so stupid and like a no brainer but so many people dropped out with a school loan over their head, as well as never even getting their license which is so absurd.


It tends to get stressful when you feel that you have to take so much info in at once, so just remember that everything will come in good timing. No one is perfect on the very first day, or even first 3 months, and isnt expected to be either.
It wasnt until the very last few weeks of beauty college that I actually felt good and that things had clicked into place.
Take advantage of any and all things you can learn and get as much practice in every single thing as possible. I wish I would have taken more advantage of the education provided.

For me it was hair cutting...I could NOT for the life of me under stand it for some reason even though it seemed so simple, and its really not that simple. I gave some of my doll heads the worst hair cuts of all time in learning but I turned out great today.

Try not to get too frustrated, its not worth all the brain power! Congratulations on joining! Im sure you will do great there and learn lots!

ETA: About the issue of catty B*****s some are talking about...Looking back now...all of the girls in the senior class would always be so rude and act like they were better thinking they were hot s*** on a platter, but once they get out in the real world they realize they are just cold $#!* on a paper plate. Don't let anyones weird attitudes make you feel inferior or like you are judged. You're all in it together to learn. Im not sure that this is even an issue for you anyway, but something to think about.

[Xxanderia]

Is school going a little better for you yet? Hopefully?

[icallitbliss]

Is school going a little better for you yet? Hopefully?

Actually...I dropped. :/ So I don't even have a loan to pay back. Unfortunately, they won't take back that huge kit that I got...and it's $1,600 I have to pay back. Unemployed and don't exactly have that right now.

Anyway, I feel kinda bad dropping after all these encouraging comments. I've just been in a SERIOUS anti-social rut lately for the past few months. It's never been this bad. I'm not even taking any of my friends' phone calls or responding to texts. So when I started school, it hit me like a ton of bricks having to be in a social environment like that for 6 hours. So...the most minuscule catty comment destroyed me. I don't have a thick skin right now at all. I figured I'd just be safer at home. I know how totally lame that sounds. I wish I could go back a year from now and be my normal happy self.

If I decide to ever go back to beauty school, I'll probably attend one in a different city hopefully. Where I live, everyone is SUPER narrow-minded about anyone or anything that's different or against the grain. I know catty girls exist everywhere, but there's just a certain breed in my city. Hard to explain, hah.

Anyway, sorry to unload on this thread. Just trying to go day by day. Might be getting a summer job at an amusement park, but the thought of that is ALSO starting to freak me out. lol.