Henrietta Castro

                                      Time Management for Cosmetology Students

Many students enrolled in the Cosmetology program at Gavilan College never complete the course due to how they manage their time. Many students in the program need to juggle their daily tasks and have a balance with their school, work, and family. Managing time is the essential key to successfully start and complete an education in the field in which a student desires to have a career.

According to an article called “Get Time on Your Side” by Jennifer Nichols, time management consistently ranked the highest challenge college student’s face. Students need to understand school is a commitment that should be treated like a full-time job (1). Take for instance the Cosmetology Program here at Gavilan College, which offers students a chance to start a career in the hair business. Students are required to complete a total of 1600 hours, in various types of services, such as, 200 wet sets, 100 haircuts, 100 colors, and a long list of different services offered in a salon setting before applying for state board of California. Many students struggle to stay in school and find it difficult to manage a job, family or other obligations they have commitments to.

 The book Self Management for College Students, written by Dr. Edward O’Keefe, suggests guidelines on how to start making time management a habit. O’Keefe states, “Basically, if you don’t stay on top of your schedule, it can lead to poor academic performance” (1). The main   reason why many college students drop out is because students are not managing their time correctly. Typically many students have children of their own and find it difficult to juggle  going to school and having a family.

 One example of a current cosmetology student Sara Furtado, has two children ages three and four, and manages to stay on top of her education and spend regular time with her family. Sara uses the resources offered at Gavilan College to help her while in school. I asked Sara how she is able to balance the tasks she has with her children and she replied, “My kids are at the Gavilan College Child Development Center, and it is very convenient! I drop them off, come to class, and pick them up after my day is over.” Sara is grateful the school offers the amenities of daycare on campus, which makes her life a lot easier and allows her to focus on her goal. Sara has a routine schedule in the evenings and manages her time wisely by putting her kids to bed by 8:30 and using the rest of her evening to do homework and study for exams. This allows Sara to concentrate without any distractions or interruptions from her children.

 Learning to master some basic time management skills can help with the feeling of being pressured and keep things under control. Procrastination is one of the biggest problems among students in college which may hinder their success. Rose Hernandez, the cosmetologist supervisor, has been overseeing, encouraging and instructing students for 30 years here at Gavilan College. As a former student of hers, I was enrolled in the program from 1988 and graduated in 1990. I clearly remember and retained the statement Mrs. Hernandez said while looking at all 60 of us in her class and stating to us, “About three or four of you will have a career working in a hair salon.” The rest would not complete the course. There are different reasons students leave the program, although many students find that they are not able to balance their time.

Twenty years ago I found myself managing my time between school, a part-time job and a social life. These were all priorities back then in my busy schedule and I found it helpful to not waste time, which helped staying motivated in school. I felt that procrastination would only pressure my life and hinder my education. Currently, I am back at Gavilan College as a full-time

student, married to my husband, raising two elementary school-age children, keeping up with a household, and working in a hair salon two days a week. Work can influence how important it is to manage your time wisely, and I know that procrastination will be a terrible influence on the success of your education.

 One of the very first things I did as a student was I made an appointment with my counselor to develop my educational plan. This is very important and it helped me not waste valuable time and money because it outlines the classes I need to take so that I am not enrolled in classes that are unnecessary. I am a very busy working mom and I manage every minute of my time wisely, which is the best advice I can offer students to instantly replay in their mind.

Students need to understand right away the commitment they need to apply to their education to be successful.

Students should take advantage of all the resources Gavilan College offers. If you are struggling with academics do not suffer in silence, there is a tutoring center available. I also find it very helpful while at school to get to know some of your classmates and exchange phone numbers in case you need something. “Students who write down all they have to do often find they have more free time” (O’Keefe). Purchase a daily planner and write out daily schedules to help stay on track. It is an advantage to get into this groove while in school because eventually in the hair salon, to be successful you must be responsible with keeping your daily appointments written in an appointment book and accurate phone numbers to confirm hair appointments with

your clients. Additionally, a study schedule can also help with you with first year of college. For example, when I created a study schedule in my first year of college, I learned how to manage all my daily tasks. Do not make the mistake of letting the little things get in your way. You must focus on your priorities.

Education is very important in today’s world and managing time for a future career is a commitment and hard work. The best advice I can offer students is to learn to manage your time wisely and not let procrastination ruin your future dreams of becoming a hairstylist. Cosmetology has been taught to many students throughout the decades, advancing with new innovative trends and technology. You are the only one that can make this happen.

                                                                   Works Cited

Furtado, Sara. Cosmetology student. Personal interview. Gavilan College Cosmetology, 12             November 2008.

Hernandez, Rose. Cosmetology Supervisor. Personal interview. Gavilan College Cosmetology, 12 November 2008.

Nichols, Jennifer. "Get Time On Your Side." Careers & Colleges 25.4 (Mar. 2005): 25-25. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Gavilan College Library, Gilroy, CA. 21 Nov. 2008 <http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=16854192&site=ehost-live>.

"Time Management--Getting It Done." Careers & Colleges 26.4 (Mar. 2006): 12-12. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Gavilan College Library, Gilroy, CA. 21 Nov. 2008 <http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=20389393&site=ehost-live>.