Greg Zorian, Master Barber/Platform Artist and Educator on Modern Salon Learning offers you these tips on how to get the most out of cosmetology school. Even if you are half way through school, these are worth reading!

BE 15 MINUTES EARLY EVERY DAY

“If you always arrive early you will never be late.” Unknown

Plan on being fifteen minutes early for school every day. This will give you time to put your things away, clean your tools, get a good seat in the classroom, finish up any last minute preparations for your first class, etc. By being early on a daily basis you will be developing one of the most important habits you can have for your future.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

Every school has a dress code. Make sure to stick to it and show your teachers and classmates you take pride in your school. Go above and beyond just wearing your uniform. Come to school with your clothes ironed and wrinkle free and your shoes freshly shined. This will make you feel better and more professional as well. Get in the habit early of dressing for success.

TREAT OTHERS WITH RESPECT

This is a great topic for our business because you are communicating constantly. You have teachers, administrators, fellow students, and customers. Make sure to treat everyone the way you would like to be treated. Always try to keep a smile on your face. Smiles are contagious. If you are in an uncomfortable situation and it is possible to remove yourself, do so. The fastest way to success in any customer service related field is to treat people in a respectful and friendly manner.

PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR TEACHERS

Your teachers are teaching you for many reasons. They teach because they love it. They teach because they care about you. They teach because they love the business. They teach because they want to be a positive influence in your life. They also teach to earn a living but it is last on their list. Please treat them with respect and pay attention to them. They are preparing you for your future. You may not always like what they have to say but they are saying it for a reason. You are going to benefit from everything they teach you. Always keep in mind these reasons that teachers teach.

ALWAYS BE PREPARED FOR SCHOOL

The only way to get the most out of your schooling is to be prepared at all times. Being prepared at all times means to always have your textbook with you and your tools with you. You can’t learn theory if you don’t have your textbook with you. You can’t learn how to give a clipper cut if you don’t have your clipper or clipper combs with you.

Another suggestion is not to lend your tools and books to anyone. A number of things can happen if you do this. The day you need your textbook the student borrowing it could be out sick. The day you need your clippers that student might be out sick. The person borrowing your clippers might have dropped them by mistake and chipped the cutting blade. If they don’t tell you and you go to use them on a customer you might cut them. If any of these things happen you are the one who is going to look bad. Always keep your books with you as well as your tools – cleaned and in good working condition.

PRACTICE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN ON THE CLINIC FLOOR

The clinic floor is your chance to get as much experience as you can. You have the opportunity to get most of your mistakes out of the way. Grab all of the haircuts you can. Make sure you take the ones that are the most difficult for you. The only way to build your skill and confidence is by repetition. If the longer hairstyles are your weakness, be the first one to grab that type of haircut when they come in. If you are a master at fades leave that haircut for someone else. Take full advantage of the opportunity your school is giving you.

PAY ATTENTION TO THE BEST STUDENTS CLOSE TO GRADUATION

You can learn a lot from your fellow students if you keep an open mind. Keep an eye on the students close to graduation on the clinic floor. Watch their haircuts. Find the student(s) that are giving the quality of haircuts that you would like to duplicate. Get close to them and watch. Ask questions. Take notes. In most cases they will be honored that you want to learn from them.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF GUEST SPEAKERS

Every school has guest speakers come in to talk to their students and give demonstrations on a wide range of topics. Make sure to find out when these people are scheduled to come in and what they are going to be talking about or demonstrating. Do some research on them before they come in to your school. Find out who they are andwhere they work. What is their area of expertise? It is a good idea to be prepared ahead of time so you are ready for their class. Most of the time, these speakers come from a local barbershop, salon, or product distributor. Have some questions ready for them and try to get to know them a little if you have the opportunity to do so. The more connections you make and networking you do, the better your chances for achieving a higher level of success when you graduate. If you are absent you might miss a career or even life changing opportunity. You are paying for your education. It is your job to get the most out of it.

Success Tips To Remember:

Some people dream of success—while others wake up and work hard at it!” - Unknown

"If you do not consciously form good habits, you will unconsciously form bad ones."  - Unknown