How to Balance Life and Beauty School

Beauty school can be a potentially challenging time for many people. You may have a number of responsibilities in addition to your beauty school commitments. However, the payoff at the end can be worth it! Committing to beauty school can mean future freedom, including all the benefits of a flexible schedule and the excitement and fulfillment that comes from helping people look and feel their best. Whether you’re currently enrolled in beauty school and looking for better strategies for school/life balance or you’re trying to figure out whether you can add beauty school to your other commitments, there are several ways you can improve your overall balance and enhance your quality of life.

Understanding the Demands of Beauty School

Beauty school brings on rigorous training and coursework demands. Not only do you need to schedule in time to attend daily classes, you may need to commit time to studying and practicing your skills. In many cases, you’ll need to commit just as many hours outside the classroom as you do inside it–and many people will discover that they get the best results when they commit even more. 

If you want to succeed in beauty school while maintaining your personal well-being, it’s critical that you learn how to manage your time effectively. That isn’t something that comes automatically to many people–but it is well within your grasp.

Prioritizing Tasks and Setting Goals

As you determine how you will manage beauty school and your other responsibilities, start by learning how to prioritize tasks. Set both short-term and long-term goals that will set you up for success, and track milestones as you complete courses or obtain new certifications. You may, for example, want to look at your long-term goal (graduating from beauty school, including obtaining specific certifications), then break it down into smaller goals, like completing specific classes. Create a plan that will allow you to make progress toward those goals.

Next, choose a planning tool that works for you. That may include:

• Using a calendar to make sure you always have key dates–including due dates or exams–at your fingertips
• Writing in a planner that will allow you to keep up with both short-term and long-term assignments, tasks, and responsibilities
• Putting together To Do lists that will allow you to keep up with everything on your plate

Then, prioritize! There may be times when you can’t do it all. However, when you keep your long-term goals at the top of your priority list, you’ll find that you’re much better prepared to keep making progress toward them.

Creating a Realistic Schedule

As you make your way through beauty school, be realistic about what you can and can’t do. Balance is critical! You not only need to take your beauty school responsibilities into account, you need to set yourself up for success at work and with your family–not to mention incorporating any personal activities that are part of your regular schedule. 

Allocate specific blocks of time for your beauty school responsibilities. It’s not just about blocking off time in your schedule to attend classes. It’s also about incorporating time for studying and practicing beauty techniques. When you put those things on your schedule, you’re much more likely to continue making time for them. 

Don’t forget about time for self-care and relaxation! When you push too hard or try to fit too much into your schedule, it’s easy to burn out. Instead, block in time for the personal care tasks that are most important to you.

Effective Time Management Techniques

Maximizing productivity when you’re in school is key. There are several things to keep in mind. 

• Set hard boundaries. Protect the time you intend to spend practicing techniques or studying, and don’t allow other people to talk you into giving up that vital time. 
• Practice saying no to non-essential commitments when necessary. This is not the time to add major requirements to your schedule!
• Utilize time management tools and techniques. Try the Pomodoro Technique or time blocking to help you achieve your goals. 

Managing your time correctly is ultimately essential to your success as a beauty school student.

Seeking Support and Building a Support System

In order to be successful as a beauty school student, you’ll need support from family, friends, classmates, and instructors. 

• Let friends and family members know what you’re doing and that you may be less available during the school year. 
• Communicate your needs clearly. Learn to ask for specific help when you need it, whether it’s having someone else take care of picking up the groceries or asking someone to help you with childcare. 
• Know when you need to ask for help! If you’re struggling, either academically or personally, be prepared to reach out. 
• Set yourself up for success before burnout arrives. Ask family and friends to be available ahead of time, and know what campus resources are available. 

At Ms. Roberts Beauty Academy, we offer a variety of services and resources for our students, including counseling services and peer support groups. Take advantage of those resources when you need them!

Practicing Self-Care and Maintaining Wellness

It’s easy, as you drive toward your beauty school goals, to set self-care to the side. However, during this period, it’s more important than ever to prioritize self-care practices, including exercise, nutrition, and sleep. Don’t fall into the trap of ignoring your physical or mental needs! Consider:

• Taking breaks when you need them
• Scheduling in time for self-care and hobbies
• Incorporating relaxation techniques, including yoga or meditation, into your regular schedule

Often, when you ignore your needs, you’ll find that it becomes increasingly difficult to keep up with your other responsibilities. On the other hand, when you do practice self-care, you’ll have more energy and attention to devote to your studies and to the other key areas of your life.

Flexibility and Adaptability

As you progress through your beauty school journey, find the balance that works for you. Balance may look different for each individual–and you may find that it looks different for you over time, as your needs change. Remain flexible and adaptable, whether you’re facing unexpected challenges or dealing with major changes in your life. When setbacks come, refocus, reset, and prepare to move forward confidently. 

Manage School/Life Balance on Your Beauty School Journey

Each student has their own unique needs as they progress through beauty school. By prioritizing self-care, seeking support when you need it, and staying focused on your goals, however, you’ll find that you’re better positioned to achieve the job of your dreams. Reach out today to learn more about how we can help you as you progress your cosmetology career.