Year Of The Artisan & Skills-Based Education: How To Become A Beauty Therapist

This year has been declared the “Year of the Artisan and Skills-Based Education” by government, to promote the diplomas and courses offered by Further Education and Training (FET) colleges in South Africa. This month we will be looking at what it means to become a beauty therapist and what you will have to study to qualify as one.

Beauty therapists are professional, qualified people who strive to help others feel good about their appearance and help them to enhance their natural beauty.

The world of Beauty Therapy is exciting and fascinating, with strong connections with the fashion and hairdressing industries. The field is varied and diverse, offering many opportunities to learn and develop skills in a range of different areas.

Beauty therapists use various facial and body treatments to help their clients look and feel their best. Beauty therapists offer treatments such as:

• Make-up application
• Eyelash and eyebrow shaping, perming or colouring
• Manicures, pedicures and specialist treatments such as nail extensions
• Unwanted facial or body hair removal
• Body massage and aromatherapy
• Various non-surgical skin therapies

Individual therapies take place in warm, clean and private treatment rooms or cubicles. Beauty therapists usually wear a uniform to protect their own clothes and to look clean and smart.

There are good career opportunities for beauty therapists and they can follow various career paths which include:

·         Practicing in a health spa or skin care clinic

• Practicing on board a cruise liner
• Consulting and practicing within a medical environment (i.e. pre and post-surgery)
• Owning and managing a clinic or health spa
• Lecturing or teaching at a training institute
• Practicing as a representative, product trainer or manager of a professional cosmetic company
• Practicing as a journalist within the health and skin care industry
• Practicing in either the fashion, media or theatre industry
• Aroma therapist
• Reflexology
• Nail technologist

Full-time beauty therapists can work up to 40 hours a week and often work after hours or on weekends. New products and techniques are however introduced all the time, so beauty therapists need to keep their skills up to date. Therapists usually take short courses on using particular products, or study further to get qualifications in specialist techniques.

A beauty therapist should have excellent interpersonal skills, be a good listener with a caring attitude, be good with their hands and be interested in science, and in health and beauty.

Satisfying aspects of being a beauty therapist

·         Helping others

·         Making a difference in people's lives

·         The opportunity to work part-time or flexi hours

Challenging aspects of being a beauty therapist

·         Working with a client with a poor self-esteem or a difficult client means that you will have to approach every client with care, taking control of the situation and advising the best treatment for the client

·         Constant changes in fashion, techniques and technology means that you will have to keep up-to-date with current trends.

Applying for a course in beauty therapy

There are various FET colleges that offer both part-time and full time courses in beauty therapy. Each college will stipulate their minimum application requirements and it is always better to confirm the requirements with the school or college before applying.

There is a complete list of schools and colleges listed on The South African Association of Health and Skincare Professionals (SAAHSP) website. These schools and colleges adhere to the SAAHSP and comply with their principles to ensure the best standards in beauty, health and skin care.

It might also be a good idea to talk to a beauty therapist to find out how they enjoy their day-to-day activities and to gauge whether it is something that you would like to do.

Ten creative ways to turbo-charge your studies

Have you wondered why some people seem to be able to pick up new skills or knowledge effortlessly, while you have problems even recalling what you ate last night?

Though a minority of them may be gifted with exceptional intelligence, most people owe their accomplishment to certain techniques that they use in learning. Here are ten creative techniques to help you improve your learning speed and help you think out of the box when it comes to thinking:

1. Get your hands dirty

Are you trying to learn how to paint, massage, swim or drive a car? Instead of spending time reading or thinking about it, why not try it out for yourself? New skills are best learned by real-life experimentation and you will learn a lot faster through trial and error and training your reflexes.

2. Pretend to be a teacher

When you are learning something new, pretending to be a master can help. This may sound contradictory, but by taking on the role of a teacher, you are forced to get all the facts and concepts right and think more broadly than learning just for yourself as you anticipate possible questions from your students. Explaining what you’ve learned also increases your own understanding through the exchanges of ideas with others.

3. Cultivate ambidexterity

Use your non-dominant hand to brush your teeth, comb your hair or use the mouse. Write with both hands simultaneously. Switch hands for knife and fork. This helps your brain to create new pathways and circuits for learning.

4. Think in pictures

Albert Einstein thought in pictures, not words. In fact, he had a poor memory for words. So he visualised scenarios, such as light in the form of a train racing down a railway track, to answer complex scientific questions. So did great inventor Nikola Tesla who carried out entire experiments in his mind first before putting them into words.

Think of the information you’re trying to grasp as visuals and make them as fun as possible. Go through the visuals in your mind and interact with them; don’t just be a passive observer. The more engaging the imagery, the faster you’ll be able to absorb and recollect the information later. If you are new to visualisation, try guided visualisation first to realise the potential of guided imagery before coming up with your own.

To further enhance learning, incorporate interesting charts, diagrams, photos and mind maps whenever you can, especially when difficult concepts and theories are involved. Pictures have the benefit of packing tons of words into easy-to-understand graphical representation. Recalling a picture is also much easier than stuffing ten paragraphs of text into your head. Creating your own visuals will help to etch the information into your mind, but if you can’t, Google is only a click away.

5. Exercise your brain

Keep your brain fit with brain fitness programs, puzzles, sudoku, chess, computer games and mahjong, a popular Chinese four-player game. Our brain is a complex organ consisting of billions of cells called neurons that change with our life experiences. By engaging in these activities and learning new things often, it is possible to train our brain to function better and prevent, or put off, the adverse effects of aging, Alzheimer’s disease, or brain injury.

6. Read out loud

If reading has been your predominant way of learning, try listening for a change. That is, read the information out loud, as opposed to reading silently, and understand what you are saying. Be creative: use different tones or alternate your volume. Just make sure you aren’t disturbing anybody or causing any alarm.

Getting your ears into the act can enhance your understanding and help you to better recall information when you need them. The reason is simple. By engaging more than one modality, you create more ‘hooks’ for the brain to attach and link the information, increasing their chances of being retrieved. Although reading aloud may slow you down, the time you saved in re-reading later makes the effort worthwhile.

7. Learn to the tune

Music is another way to enrich your learning experience and some music has been found to relax the brain and improve learning by helping you to recall better. But whether it’s classical, the sounds of nature, or traditional music, the best music is one that works for you.

8. Meditate for focus

If your mind is stressful and imbalanced, chances are you will find it difficult to focus and concentrate, let alone understand and absorb any information. Learn to clear, relax and focus your mind with meditation for fifteen minutes before any intense learning.

There are many types of meditation to choose from and there’s always something for everyone. For starters, try the breathing meditation, as it is easy to pick up and work within minutes to prepare you for a reading marathon. If you can’t sit still, then a walking meditation may be the answer to your agitated mind and hyperactive body.

9. Physical exercise

A healthy body really does mean a healthy mind. In the last decade it became clear that regular exercise beneficially affects brain function. Exercise boosts brain power by stimulating formation of new brain cells (neurons), the process known as neurogenesis. Also, exercise strengthens connections between those cells. Researchers have found the areas of the brain that are stimulated through exercise are associated with memory and learning.

Physical exercise may even help prevent Alzheimer's disease. Several studies have confirmed that regular physical activity reduces the risk of cognitive decline and dementia in old age.

10. Laugh out loud

Laughter really is the best medicine! The medical world has begun to take more serious notice of the healing power of humor and the positive emotions associated with it. By having fun and laughing, your stress levels decrease significantly and your memory improves. Humor stimulates the parts of our brain that use the "feel good" chemical messenger dopamine. 

Do you feel good about your studies? Five tips to get more satisfaction out of your course

After spending a few months in tertiary studies, many students are either struggling to keep up with their coursework or fighting off boredom. Students in this position either think about changing their field of study or dropping out completely, believing they are not cut out for either the specific course they are doing or furthering their studies in general. But if you are in this situation, try to follow these five tips to get more out of your course before you make any changes to your course.

Get perspective

If you’re having difficulties with the material you’re working on, take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Remind yourself what you want to achieve and what you want to end up doing once you have qualified.

If you’re not enjoying your coursework right now, it doesn't necessarily mean that you won’t enjoy the application of what you’re learning now in the next module you study. Try not to make any major decisions until you get the opinion of an academic adviser – it may be that a little patience and perseverance is all that’s needed before you start to enjoy what you are doing.

Get an attitude

You may have heard the phrase “your attitude determines your altitude” - whatever you are doing, your frame of mind goes a long way to either turning it into a success or turning it into a disaster. Remind yourself that you are the master of your own destiny and don’t allow other people or things to get the better of you.

Get competitive

If you are competitive by nature, you can have a lot of fun with your studies. Instead of thinking that you’re at a disadvantage in comparison to other students, you can turn things around by getting competitive and turning it into a game.

Think of every project as a challenge and set out to do your assignments better than anybody else. Try to surprise everyone by doing outstanding work. You can also select a few fellow students and compete against each other – with a prize set for the highest marks!

Keep your eyes on the prize

Whatever you do, don’t ever forget that you have a long-term goal in your tertiary education. Even if the goal-posts shift, try to bear in mind that your career goals can only be achieved by staying the course and working hard.

Get support

It’s unfortunate but true that some students don’t receive much encouragement or support when it comes to studying. Some students don’t have any encouragement from family or don’t even have any family at all, but that doesn’t mean nobody cares.

There are lots of people who care very much that you succeed in your studies. For instance, people who work at the institution where you study have a big stake in your success. They are judged on your performance, so if you don’t do well, they don’t do well either.

People from all walks of life are concerned about education and the issues students just like you have to face. If you feel like you’re not getting the support you need at home, then try to find an organisation that deals with student affairs and talk to them. You might find that there are plenty of people who are willing to cheer you on and would like to see you succeed.

If you are seriously thinking of changing your field of study or major, ask yourself the following questions before going to speak to the relevant people at the institution where you are studying:

• How did your interest in this field of study begin?
• How much research have you done to find out more about the type of job you aim to get after your studies?
• Can you see yourself doing this work? Is it a realistic and practical vocation?
• Where did this idea come from? Did it stem from a passion? Was it a suggestion from family or friends? Social/cultural influences? Recommendation of a teacher or mentor? Was it out of a desire for money, power, prestige or success?
• Is it a good fit for your academic ability and strengths? Is it a good fit for your personality?

Write down the answers, and if you think you have a solid reason, go ahead and make the change. Whatever you decide to do, good luck and work hard!

I’m Not Just a Student Number – we want your submissions!

Do you want the chance to prove that you’re more than just your student number or a name on a class register?

This year, Eduloan is celebrating the individuality of students and scholars, recognising the potential in each one of you. As the only education finance specialist in the country, we realise that students don’t all fit in one box and that all of you have your own uniqueness that you can use not only for the betterment of yourself, but for the benefit of those around you.

That’s why we’re asking YOU to give a voice to students all over Southern Africa.We want you to participate in our “Not Just a Student Number” initiative and submit a thought-provoking article for our blog based on the theme for the month. 

Submit your contribution to competitions@eduloan.co.za before the 30^th April and we could select yours as the winning article to be featured on our blog for next month. We also have a R1 000 cash prize to give-away to the winning entry each month, so get your creativity going!

You can write about anything, but it must not be fiction (fic·tion [f k sh n] noun. Writing that is produced by the imagination and is not necessarily based on fact)and it should touch on your viewpoint and life as a student or scholar. It should also have something to do with the monthly theme that we are giving you below. Make sure you don’t write anything negative about a real person without their knowledge.

We want to hear from you:what is life really like for you as a student or scholar and what makes you uniquely you?

This month’s theme is: Wanting More

Thought Starters:

·         I want more student interaction in my classes… this is how I plan do it

·         I want more books in our library… here is my plan on achieving this

·         I wanta better future… here is my plan

Guidelines:

1.       Your article must be between 300-500 words long

2.       It must be non-fictional (non·fic·tion [nänˈfikSHən] noun. Writing based on facts, such as biography or history) and factual

3.       Your writing must not be degrading or libelous to any person

4.       It must have something to do with your life as a student

5.       Any piece containing profanity, hate speech or racism will be disqualified

6.       Your article could be reproduced in print or web publications on behalf of Eduloan.

7.       The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into

8.       All articles must be your own work – no plagiarism

Terms and Conditions apply. Click here to view the T&C: https://www.facebook.com/notes/eduloan/im-not-jus-a-student-number-competition/508709245832722

For more information visit our  page on Facebook (www.facebook.com/EduloanSA)

 

Juggling part-time study deadlines and work stress? Here’s how to stay ahead of the game when studying part-time

If you’re fortunate enough to have a job and are receiving a monthly or weekly salary, it can become almost too easy to stop thinking about furthering your education. Living from month to month seems like the only option. However, at one point or another, thoughts of developing your career further will probably start to enter into your mind. 

One of the keys to career success is a good tertiary education, and chances are that if you don’t have a degree or diploma behind your name, your career path might just hit a brick wall and you may lose out on your chance to be promoted within your existing company to a better-qualified candidate, or you might be passed over at the application stage when applying for a job elsewhere due to not having the required qualifications.

One of the best ways to advance your career is to complete industry-specific certifications or go back to school to get a qualification. Unfortunately for many, the idea of going to university or completing a diploma while working a full-time job is daunting. Multiply the stress of a spouse, children, and all the other activities you’ve got going on, and studying for a certification seems like the furthest thing from an actual possibility.

Although difficult, it is quite possible to balance your family, job, and obligations while studying for a degree or diploma. The following are some handy tips to help you on your journey to get the qualifications you’re after and give your career a kick start.

1. Enlist the help of family and friends

If you are serious about doing some form of study then it’s vital to have support from those closest to you. Talk to your partner, family and friends before embarking on a new course and make sure they understand why this is so important. That way, they will understand that you may not always have quite as much time for them as you would like. 

2. Split up the reading

Split up your reading into weekly intervals, preferably as soon as you receive your study materials. Calculate how many days you have and how many pages you must read in order to finish the book. Then create a weekly reading schedule, do some calculations and write out how much reading you must do each day on a calendar. Each day when you’ve finished your reading, cross it off.

Reading an entire text book in a week can be done. However, in order to get a strong grasp of the material, slower and more consistent study can be of greater value. Breaking the reading down into small chunks will give you a sense of accomplishment every day and will help you avoid feelings of panic closer to a test.

3. Sneak it in

Try keeping some review materials on you at all times — even if it is something as simple as a note card with review concepts on it. There are tons of times throughout the day that you will have five to ten minute periods when you are free. These include waiting in a doctor’s office, catching a bus or train, waiting at line in the grocery store, etc. You might as well leverage these times to study. The more time you can “sneak” studying in, the less time you’ll have to devote to studying later in the night when you could be spending time with family or doing something more interesting.

4. Make one sacrifice per day

In order to complete your course you’re going to have to make some sacrifices. Skipping an hour of television per night could make it possible for you to complete your reading and still have some free time later to relax.

5. Create a planned cram

The day (or week) before your exam you’ll likely start to feel rising levels of stress. If you can manage it, take the day off work before your exam. Even if you feel totally confident with the material, having the day off will keep your stress levels down, clear your head, and give you the opportunity to brush up on some of the material that you may have been avoiding.

6. Talk to your employer

If you are advancing your education under your own initiative it’s worth letting your employer know about your plans and goals. Employers would rarely frown upon an employee improving their skills and by keeping them in the know you will receive greater understanding and support when you might need to take a day or two off for exams. 

7. Play to your strengths

People’s learning styles vary dramatically, so what works for someone else may not work for you. If you perform better in the morning, set aside an hour once or twice a week for studying. Students’ concentration spans also vary so keep this in mind to maximise learning either in bite sized chunks or longer periods. The key is to find what works for you and then plan your time accordingly. 

8. Create a study zone

If possible, it helps to have an area that is dedicated to studying, whether that means converting a spare room into a temporary study or tucking a desk into the corner of the living room. If you prefer to leave the house then you could try a quiet local coffee shop or your public library. Wherever it may be, creating this distinction between study time and the rest of your day will help to engage your brain and get you in the mood for learning. 

9. Find a study partner

Setting goals with fellow students can be a great way of overcoming hurdles and boosting your own motivation. Making new friends is often an added bonus to adult learning, and technological developments mean it is now possible for people on distance learning courses to develop such relationships via the internet. If you are considering home study then it’s worth checking if the course provider has a virtual student community, which can effectively replicate the social environment of more traditional educational establishments. 

Often the hardest thing about combining work with study is making the decision to do it in the first place. Once you get started you will probably find that it’s not as difficult as you’d imagined. Choosing a course that allows you to study via distance learning can also be helpful as you can work at your own pace without being tied down to specific timescales. Studying doesn’t have to take over your life: just a few hours each week can make all the difference. 

Five ways your phone can help you succeed in your studies

You may have just started university or you may be a seasoned veteran staring down the barrel of your final year. You may be vying to graduate with a summa cum laude or just trying to find a way to pass. Whichever group you belong to, the chances are that the key to giving your results a serious boost may be sitting right there in your hand.

Now obviously this works best if you are lucky enough to have a smartphone but older phones can still serve a purpose - it’s all about utilising what you have to hand. Using your phone in these five key ways can genuinely help you boost your marks:

1. Record your lectures and classes

Lectures, tutorials and workshops are incredibly important. They are filled to the brim with information that is vital to your success but perhaps more significantly they provide key signposts on how you should engage with a topic and crucially, how your lecturer thinks. That’s the person who’s going to be marking your work.

What’s more, lectures are a convenient and quick way to get you up to speed on a topic or provide an overview come exam time. With all that said, it’s almost a crime against your education to let them pass by in an hour-long flash. You need to record them.

This is where your phone comes in. Put it down in front of you, hit record and you can start building your personal library of everything the lecturer has ever said. This can then be used how you wish. If you have the facilities available to you, upload it to a website like SoundCloud which carries the additional advantage of allowing you to attach your own notes to various points in the recording. It’s brilliant and of course, it’s entirely free.

2. Reading

You’ve taken a trip to your study session but you’ve realised you’ve left a book at home. Or a book you’re reading has cited something which sounds interesting, but the library doesn’t have it in stock, or someone has already taken it out, or you’re nowhere near a library and you need it for your assignment right now.

As long as you have access to the internet on your phone you have access to Google Books and many other e-book services which may carry a copy of the passage that you need. Carrying a virtual library containing hundreds of thousands of books in your pocket can enable you to do the breadth of reading required to get you the marks you desire. It also allows you to strike while your mind is hot on wider reading possibilities, therefore optimising the impact on your thinking and on your work.

3. Plan your time

You can use your phone as a mobile diary by using notes and your built-in calendar. Organisation is the key to achieving good grades as is getting your work done in the most efficient way possible. And if you aren’t already using your phone as a way of doing this, you should at least give it a try. It’s the one thing that’s with you 24 hours a day.

4. Turn your phone into a study buddy

Is procrastination winning out after you’ve spent all of that time making your study cards? Well, turn your phone into the personal trainer you’ve been wishing for all of these years. The Study Buddy app keeps track of how efficiently you are working by monitoring the number and duration of breaks you are taking per study session. It will also immediately record the length of time you spend on any phone calls during your ‘work’ and will factor any texting time into account too.

5. Working on the move

Now that you’re working and filing your information efficiently what’s next? Working some more. “But I don’t have any more time to work” you say. Taking a train journey? Going on the bus? Waiting for a friend? Exercising? Get your recorded lectures on your phone out, listen to them and make notes as you go along.

So you’ve got revision cards, recorded material, a library’s worth of books at your fingertips, your essays, your notes, the Internet - available everywhere you are, whatever you’re doing.

You may think of yourself as just a pen and book kind of person but with the potential of that education-boosting powerhouse you carry around with you everywhere - can you afford to ignore it?