Cosmetology school

So, you’ve decided to go to cosmetology school, and you are a little curious about what your next year is going to look like as a student. Surely you have read all the technical descriptions you could find about what you’ll learn in the classroom and what it’s like on the floor, but we have a hunch that if you talked to a cosmetology student, they will describe their journey as much more than technicalities. That being said, we have broken down the rollercoaster of feelings, emotions, and thoughts that you’ll ride through during your time as a cosmo student. So, put on your seatbelt and prepare for a ride through twelve months of cosmetology school.

Month one

Starting something new is always nerve racking and even a little scary sometimes. But don’t let that hold you back from jumping right into cosmetology school and giving it your all. We know that it’s hard not to have some preconceived notions when the constant thought of starting school trumps most of your other thoughts. It’s okay to have those notions but it’s important to keep an open mind and acknowledge the fact that everything may not be exactly how you imagined. Embrace change, accept the new and adapt to the unknown. After all, this is what you’ve been waiting your whole life to do!
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Month two

Take a deep breath and know that you can do this. Now that you have some weeks under your belt, you should realize that by now that you have the skills it takes to become a cosmetologist! Like we said before, we know that starting something new can be scary sometimes you may even feel a little unsure if you’ve even made the right choice. Trust in yourself and remember that you made this choice for a reason and it is the right choice!
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Month three

By now, some things may still be a little fresh, but one thing is for sure and that is the realization that you are starting to make some amazing new friends. In the Jenks cosmetology program, you are going to be spending anywhere between 23 and 30 hours a week with your classmates. It’s no secret that you are going to build some amazing friendships in that time. You will watch each other grow, support one another’s dreams, and help each other when you run into a roadblock. You may lose touch with some after graduation but some of them may turn into lifelong friends.
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Month four

By the time month four rolls around, you’re feeling pretty good about the talent you’ve perfected and the new skills that you have learned. Then, you hear that your time has come to start taking clients on the floor. Suddenly, all of that newfound confidence dwindles and you start to question if you’re really ready for the floor. Good news, your excitement will most likely overtake that fear, and you’ll walk on the floor like you own the place.
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Month five

Now that you’ve adjusted to being on the floor, you are absolutely loving it. You get to practice the skills you’ve learned with real-world clients and still continue to obtain more knowledge. With the help of your instructors and your guests, you will learn ways to enhance your technical cutting, coloring and styling techniques. You’ll start to express your creativity through your services and personalize each of your guest’s experiences. The more you continue to learn the more confidence that you build within yourself. You can finally rid your mind of those pesky thoughts of not being ready to be on the floor. We’ve already established that change and progress can be scary but be sure to keep your mind filled with positive thoughts and reassure yourself that you can do anything you set your mind to!
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Month six

Now that you have had the opportunity to be on the floor for a while, you’ve probably built some great relationships with your guests. You’ve maybe even had the privilege of returning guests that pre-book or specifically request to see you. Isn’t it a great feeling knowing that you provided such an amazing service to your guests that they want to see you again? Your guests are what make everything you do so worthwhile. Something most cosmetologists have in common is their internal desire to make others feel beautiful and you have definitely chosen a wonderful career to do just that. Maya Angelou once said,

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Be sure to keep that in mind when you have new and even returning guests in your chair.
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Month Seven

You’ve been in school a while now and you’ve been presented with the endless paths that your career could take. Appreciate that! You’ve chosen a career that opens so many doors for your future. From makeup artistry and hair coloring to salon ownership and so much more, you have the power to choose what is right for YOU. Modern Salon wrote a great article that discusses some career opportunities for cosmetologists and it’s important to use resources like this and consider all of your possibilities before you set your mind to just one!
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Month Eight

Wow, you’ve made it 8 months already, can you believe it? Time really does fly when you’re having fun. You’ve covered most of the basics by this point and now you are really focusing on perfecting your skills. The last few months are going to fly by so be careful what you wish for. Before you know it, you are going to be signing up for your state board practicals!
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Month Nine

Just when you think you know it all, you still have more to learn! It’s easy to get overly confident in your abilities, but it’s important to remember that learning should never stop. The minute you decide you know everything is the minute your talent goes dormant. Always keep your mind open to new things and take a minute to appreciate your cosmetology school education.
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Month Ten

It’s finally starting to sink in that you get to do this for the rest of your life! How awesome is that? You get to make a career out of your passion. The thought of all your possibilities will probably give you butterflies every now and again. Get used to it because this is your life!
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Month Eleven

You know that terrible feeling you get towards the end of your senior year of high school? You are probably starting to feel the same thing now that you are just weeks away from graduating cosmetology school. We don’t care what the medical journals have to say, Senioritis is a real thing. Symptoms may include: daydreaming of your future in the world of beauty, imagining the amazing feeling you’ll get when you ace your boards, and reflecting on all you’ve learned. It also features a strong urge to fast forward time to graduation. You have to hang in there, though. Graduation is just around the corner, and it’ll be here before you know it.
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Month Twelve

What did we tell you? Graduation is finally here, you did it! Take a moment and pat yourself and your fellow graduates on the back. No one ever said that it would be easy, but it is worth it! Now that you are done, and you’ve taken the appropriate time to celebrate this momentous achievement, it is time to start thinking about your boards. Study, study, study! Once you pass the necessary tests and obtain your official license, it’s finally time to start the next chapter of your life as a professional cosmetologist. Congratulations!
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Now, we understand that every school is different and each month may vary depending on what school you are at. Most importantly, though, we just want to make sure that you realize the amazing experience you are about to embark on by enrolling in cosmetology school. You should be proud of yourself and the action you’ve taken to create a great future.

We want to hear about your journey through cosmetology school! Share with us in the comments what cosmetology school was like for you. If you are thinking about a career in cosmetology and this journey sounds like something you’re ready to start, then visit our cosmetology page to learn more about our program and see if this is the right choice for you!