Update from Maricha: What to do while you are waiting…

December 1, 2010

Although I completed my nail technology program in September, I have elected to take my state boards in late January. Here are some things you can do while waiting to take your exam:

Study, then study again

You need to know your study personality — can you just read your notes and take the test or do you need flashcards? Are you the type of person who has a photogenic memory or do you need to be quizzed often? Can you study by yourself or do you study better with a group? All of these are questions you need to ask yourself when preparing to study for the test. I advise you to give yourself some time between completing your nail program and taking the test. You can study a little every day and do some intense studying closer to the test. I plan to study by myself and with a few of my former classmates, to take notes and to quiz myself often. You may want to visit your state board’s website for information on how the test is structured and what’s on the test!

Hone your skills

While you are waiting to take the state board exam I suggest you practice, practice, practice. Whip out your plastic hand or fingers and just work! Practice NEVER hurts anyone. You may also want to watch videos online from different product companies. You can also watch uber-helpful videos on the NAILS Magazine website (www.nailsmag.com/nailstv). Another suggestion I have is to participate in educational courses given by companies. You may be able to take a class through your local professional beauty supply (think Cosmoprof) or many times these classes are at the professional shows (ISSE, ABS, Premiere, and IBS). Take advantage of every opportunity!

Prepare your resume

Actually, this should be something you should do BEFORE you graduate from nail school, but in case you didn’t, DO IT NOW! You never know what opportunity may come your way and you need to be ready. A resume contains your contact information, where you received your education and what you can do. This is a time for you to show off your skills. If you Minx, do no-chip gel polish, massage — put it on your resume. If while you were in school and you won nail art competitions, put it down. Your resume should boast of all you can offer a salon — don’t be modest here!

Figure out what type of nail tech you want to be

Do you want to work in a salon or do you want to start your own? Do you want to be a booth renter? What will be your signature service? You should ask yourself all of these questions when figuring out what type of nail tech you want to be. What are your goals? Plan short-term and long-term goals and work toward them every day.

Save your money

Pretty soon, you will no longer be able to use your “student” benefits — you will have to pay the professional price! It is good practice to save your money so that you are able to purchase what you need when you want to. Additionally, you want to save your money so that you can go to the professional beauty shows and attend awesome classes and purchase great products there!

Study again!

I say this half-jokingly, half-serious. Passing the state board exam will open up many doors for you. Take the exam seriously!

If you have already taken the exam, what were some of the things you did while waiting to do so? Let me know!

— Maricha