If you want to become a cosmetologist, nail technician, esthetician, or hairstylist, or have some other career in the industry, you first have to go through cosmetology school. The number of hours you are required to take differs depending on your state, but most states require around 1600 hours.
After you complete your program, you have one more hurdle before your career begins: passing the state licensing exam. The more you prepare during your studies, the better chance you have of succeeding. By utilizing the following tips, you will have a strong likelihood of passing your exam so you can embark on your dream career.
Study, Study, Study
In order to succeed in cosmetology school, you have to put in the time and effort by studying. Even if you already have a strong background in a class, you should still put in the time and effort on the assigned reading, class activities, and other coursework.
Additionally, you should spend some time studying throughout the semester, rather than trying to cram in all the information at the end. This will ensure that you actually learn the material, rather than just memorize important information, making it easier to prepare for the state licensing exam.
Prioritize Your Studying
Studying is an important part of success, but you need to smart about how you study. Instead of spending the bulk time on your favorite subjects, you should prioritize the subjects that you find difficult. Although you may end up specializing in one area and not need some of the information for your career, you will still need to know it for the license exam. The easiest way to prioritize your studying is to make a list from hardest to easiest subjects and proceed from there.
Study in Groups
Another way to help with your studying is to do it in groups. This can make studying fun, which will make it feel less like a chore. Additionally, you may gain some insight into a topic from your peers that in turn helps you better understand it.
Enroll in Board Examination Prep Courses
Although passing all your classes while in school is important, it is even more important to adequately prepare yourself for your state board exam. Many schools offer prep courses that are designed to ensure you are ready to pass the exam.
If you do not want to enroll in such a course, or do not have the option, you should take the research what will be on the exam so that you are adequately prepared. This includes learning the instructions ahead of time so that you do not lose marks for simple errors. You should also continue studying all the way up to the day you take the exam, according to Avenue Five Institute.
Timing is Key
The state board exam is typically timed, so you want to work on being able to answer the questions in the appropriate amount of time. Therefore, when you study, you should time yourself to prepare for this type of situation.
Additionally, you should block out certain time periods for studying each subject, especially if you already have a busy schedule. This helps you to take full advantage of the amount of time you do have while ensuring that you study everything. Do not give every subject the same amount of time. Instead, give yourself more time to study with subjects that are harder or require more work and less time for easy courses.
Build Your Confidence
Confidence is a key characteristic to have not only to succeed in school and on the test but also to be a great stylist, cosmetologist, or other professional. Therefore, when you are in school, take the time to build confidence in yourself and your skills. According to an interview on Colleges and Degrees.com, anxiety and self-doubt can often hinder success in classes, such as working on learning the new techniques.
Finding ways to build your self-confidence, even if they are outside of school, will help you become a better student and professional.
Take Advantage of Opportunities
When you are in school, you will be given a variety of opportunities in which to partake, such as working a fashion show, interning, enrolling in conferences or external classes, working as a model in a salon, and more. You should take advantage of as many of these opportunities as possible, even if they do not seem to be a good fit for your career. You will build your professional network and have a broader education. You may also discover that another career path fits better than the one you are currently considering.
Smart studying is one of the most important components of succeeding in cosmetology school, but it takes more than just being able to pass your classes and exams to build a successful career. Preparing yourself emotionally, especially building your confidence and self-esteem, will not only help you in school, but also help you be the best professional you can be.