Five Tips to Succeed in Esthetics School from a #FellowClassmate
School is a whimsical roller coaster, let’s ride this together.
Hello. My name is Harley Brown, I am 28 years old and I live in Reno, NV. I am currently attending the Milan Institute of Cosmetology, patiently awaiting graduation. I have been interested in Esthetics since I was 22 and have really become passionate!
Do you ever look around the classroom and feel as if you made the wrong decision? Maybe you think that you don’t have the capability of learning the material, or just a fear of passing the state board. I think about this every day. I know the struggles of getting yourself through school and convincing yourself that you may not pass the exams, worrying that maybe you don’t see yourself as an Esthetician either.
Well, get that out of your brain because I am here to say that you are worth it. You made this decision for a reason, and you must be the one to make sure you stick it out. I promise you if you learn how to make the material become part of your brain and do all the practicing you can, you and I will both get through this. Here are five tips for getting through Esthetics school that I have learned thus far.
- Do not compare yourself to other students in your class. When I say this, I mean don’t negatively compare yourself; you can learn from others but do not put yourself down if you think they are doing a better job than you are. This world is already full of people criticizing others, but it’s the good criticism you should take to heart. I know this is hard to do and even something that I need to work on, but I have also come a long way within my classroom to realize that it has never done anyone any good to compare. You will learn as you go, and it will be at your own pace. Focus on yourself and prioritize. I have absolutely gone through this already and still struggle from time to time, but I am getting better, and you will too.
- PRACTICE. PRACTICE. PRACTICE. Know what I am going to say next? You guessed it. Practice makes perfect. This is one of those sayings that you continuously hear throughout your lifetime. This is also the one saying that you should hold onto and remember. I have completed facials, massages, microdermabrasion, peels on myself, waxing, eyebrow tinting, and eyelash extensions. You will see improvement the more you do it. I got a little discouraged at first, but then the more I practiced, the more I saw a big change in where I was and where I am now. Remember to enjoy the whole process of getting through school and remember to have fun with it as you go. The more you do it, the easier it will become.
- Slow down and take your time. When I first started completing services, I noticed that I would rush. You get so excited to see the after rather than focusing on the process. Ensure that you take a deep breath and slow down when you are working on clients or each other. I also noticed this when I was practicing my eyelash extensions. The first time, I was excited to get to the end, and although it was my first time, if I slowed down, they would have turned out better than what they did. The second time I practiced, they were so much better. I didn’t have time to finish the whole set like I would’ve liked, but they still looked great because I took my time. Don’t look at it as a chore. Look at it as art. Beauty takes time, and it will show in your work.
- STUDY! You may notice that you get a lot of free time while in school. That time is for you to utilize, whether that be studying or doing practicals. There are many practice tests online that you can use, which I have found necessary. I also found an APP called the Esthetician Exam Center. You can pay $9.99 for a whole month, and they offer hundreds of questions and answers. This will help those jitters that you get before the state board. Make sure to make flashcards and have your partner, mom, or friend help you study. You will have the State Board Practical as well. I recommend that you have someone watch you do it while at home. It would be best if you got a step by step print out which they can use to check off. My husband helped me study, and I got a 100%, which I was very proud of.
- Start to build your clientele and Social Media from the start. Networking is one of those hard but necessary choices. Before I started school, I had already made an Instagram account and reached out to other Estheticians and friends where I live. Don’t feel embarrassed to ask other Estheticians for guidance, either. Getting a good following and making enjoyable content is great; however, keeping those clients is key and should be your top priority. If you make a great impression and follow up with them, you will build that loyalty that we all crave, and they may just follow you to your spa when you graduate. I wish you the best of luck in your journey!
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