Hi Kirsty, can I share my experience with you ... even though I didn't do the home study course. I changed careers and did the short private courses of one or two day lengths. These were with a teacher and small groups of people of about 6 at maximum. I learned manicure and pedicure; facials and eyebrow/eyelash tinting and brow shaping; waxing; and Swedish massage. I also did Bio Sculpture Gels. And those diplomas were accepted by my insurance company
Professional Beauty Direct and as I learn more skills and have the diplomas, these are automatically added to my insurance. Before I did the courses I checked with the insurance companies to make sure they would be recognised and enables me to work mobile for myself.
Anyway, this was absolutely the right path for me because I got so much from the courses, seeing it in action and doing it on each other, and then going off and practising until I felt ready to sell my services which happened quite quickly.
However, because of my level of perfectionism, I have nagging speak in the back of my head which has not been too helpful and so, I am now enrolled at my local education college to do NVQ Level 2 and although I am repeating a lot of what I have already learned, I am pleased to be doing so but backed up with deeper background knowledge. It means that after Level 2 I can do Level 3 and then higher levels of massage that I want to do.
So what I am saying, is that there is nothing like having the hands on experience part of the study and there are plenty who would criticise my short courses but they suited me well, though now I am going to the full time course. I can still operate my mobile therapy business around college times and can continue to progress that at the same time.
You have to do what is right for you, and if it is doing the Distance Learning now then don't let anyone put you off. But bear in mind how what might seem right now can change!
Caroline x