So, you’ve decided to take the leap and go to nail school. That is such a huge and exciting step. When I first enrolled at Mountainland Technical College, I had all these visions of me sitting at a cute desk, painting tiny flowers, and chatting with girls all day. And while there is a lot of that, I quickly realized that nail school is so much more than just a “beauty” class. It’s intense, it’s scientific, and it’s a total rollercoaster of emotions.
If you’re feeling nervous or just wondering what you’re getting yourself into, I wanted to break down what it’s actually like. Here is the tea on what to expect, how to survive the “science” part, and how to make the most of your course.
It’s Not Just About Pretty Nails
One of the biggest shocks for me was how much time we spent in the books before we ever touched a file. The first half of the course was reading, studying, and test taking. You might think you’re just going there to learn how to lay acrylic, but the state requires you to know the why behind everything. You’ll spend weeks learning about chemistry, sanitation, and my personal nightmare, anatomy.
You have to learn about the chemical bonds between polymers and monomers. You have to learn the difference between a virus and a bacteria. You have to memorize every single bone in the hand and foot. It feels like you’re back in high school biology, which was the last thing I expected. But honestly, looking back, this is what makes you a professional. Anyone can watch a youtube video and try to copy a design, but school teaches you how to keep your clients safe which is so important.
Anatomy Hurdle
If you read my main journey blog, you know that anatomy almost broke me. I’m not even kidding, I failed that test nearly three times. I would sit in my room with my flashcards, staring at words like onycholysis and hyponychium, and I would just start crying. I felt so slow compared to everyone else.
If you find yourself struggling with the written work, please don’t give up. I had to learn that my brain just didn’t work like a textbook. I had to start watching biology animations on youtube and drawing diagrams of the nail bed with different colored pens just to make it stick. Nail school is a short amount of time to cram a lot of info into your head, so give yourself some grace if you don’t get it on the first try, and if you’re good with anatomy, oh that section will be a breeze for you.
The Kit
When you start, you’ll usually get a kit. Opening that bag for the first time felt like Christmas, it was filled with files. Buffers, nippers, practice hands, acrylic, and so much more. A small tip I have for you, keep your kit well organized. It might be hard to properly fit everything in there but trust me it’s a lot easier to know where everything is than to stop mid appointment because you forgot where you put one of your products.
You also need to take care of your tools from day one. School is where you learn stuff like sanitation. You’ll learn how to properly scrub your implements and soak them in barbicide. It’s not the most aesthetic part of the job, but it’s the most important. If you don’t respect your tools in school, you won’t respect them in your business.
Small Classes = Big Connections
My class only had six students, and at first, I was worried it would be too quiet. But it turned out to be the best thing ever. We became like a little family. Since you’re all making the same messy mistakes at the same time, you bond really fast. I was also nervous about having a ton of drama in a class full of girls but I got lucky and had the sweetest people in my class. To this day we still keep in touch and are constantly hyping each other up and giving each other tips for our business. Having those girls by my side made the long days feel shorter. When I was stressed about my state boards, they were the ones who talked me off the ledge. Don’t be afraid to ask your classmates for help, you’re all in this together.
State Boards
The end of school is basically one giant preparation for the state board. This is the big final boss test. The nerves are real. All the girls in class were worried they would fail, obviously you could retake it but there’s a $100 fee for that, which is a lot for one test.
The State Board isn’t necessarily about who can do the “cutest” nail, it’s about who can do a safe, clean, and structured nail. They are watching your every move to make sure you aren’t cross contaminating anything. My tip, practice the procedure until you can do it in your sleep, and ALWAYS use hand sanitizer. I used to set up my station at home and pretend I was being timed. It felt silly, but it helped so much.
The “Messy” Reality
Expect to leave school covered in white dust. Expect your back to ache a little. Expect your hands to cramp. It’s all part of the process.
Nail school isn’t very long, but it feels like a lifetime because you’re growing so much. You’re going in as a student and coming out as a licensed professional. It’s a grind, but the second you get that email saying you passed your boards, all the tears and dusty clothes won’t matter anymore.
Final Advice for New Students
- Ask Questions: If you don’t understand why a nail is lifting, ask your instructor to watch your prep. Please don’t be afraid to ask something, there’s a chance another girl in your class has that same question but doesn’t want to speak up.
- Don’t Compare: Some girls in your class might have been doing nails for years, others have never touched a brush. Stay in your own lane!
- Stay Organized: Keep your station clean. It helps your brain stay calm.
You’ve got this! School is the foundation of your entire career. It’s a challenge, but it’s a beautiful one. Just take it one bead and one flashcard at a time.