Graduation!

After months of hard work, studying, and practicing the moment I’ve been waiting for has finally arrived. Graduation! I still can’t believe it. My last week seemed to take forever. I thought my last day would never come. But when Saturday finally arrived, I was more than ready. When I got to school, there were already clients waiting for services. I was the only student there at the time who could work on the floor, so I got to work. My first client was getting a French manicure with polish on her hands and feet. After that I did a pedicure and my time was up (I only had two hours left on my last day). While in the office filling out my paper work a client called to request me for her fill-in later that day. Unfortunately my time was done and I would be unable to do her service. I will say that made me feel good. I’m such a perfectionist and am so hard on myself; it was nice to know that someone was pleased with my work. Sometimes in school it’s hard to tell how the clients feel, so that really made my day.

After all my paperwork was filled out, I went and exchanged info with everyone and said my goodbyes. On the way to the car, I ran into a young lady whose pedicure I did several weeks ago. She was bringing her friend to get a pedicure. I told her I had just graduated and we talked for a few minutes. Right then I happened to look down and noticed she still had the design I put on her toes! I did her pedicure five weeks ago. She saw me looking and said “that’s right I’m still wearing it”. I’ve always wondered how long my polish lasts when I do pedicures. It’s nice to see all that practice paying off.

I was a little emotional after leaving the school. I don’t know if you’ve read my first post, but becoming a nail technician is a dream I’ve had for at least 16 years. As the years went on it seemed as if I would never accomplish this goal and that it would always remain a dream. I still can’t believe that I finally did it. I feel like a totally different person from last year. School took a little longer than I planned, and some days were better than others but I have had the best experience.

I had to put the job hunt on hold for a month so that I could help my sister with my nephews. That just means that I am able to get some extra studying in before I go to take the State Board exam. The good thing about North Carolina is that you are able to get a work permit for 6 months, instead of having to wait to take both the written and the practical exam in order to work.

I would like to thank my femtor Chanda Jenkins for forwarding the link for student bloggers and for NAILS editor Hannah Lee for giving me the opportunity to share my journey with you. I also want to thank all of you for reading my blogs and taking the time to comment. I appreciate all of your feedback. Your honesty, support and kindness meant more to me than you know. It really made my day, especially on those days when everything was going wrong.

I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish this without my amazing husband, sister, and mom in my corner. If they wouldn’t have been there for me while I took a break from working to go to school, I wouldn’t have been able to do this. Thank you all so much.

I love networking and meeting new techs: for any future/current nail students, graduates or nail techs find me on Facebook at Starr Cherise Rooks or e-mail me at starrcherisenails@gmail.com.

— Starr