Preparing for NVQ 2?

[Kitty Napalm]

Hi there, I'll be starting an intensive Beauty Therapy NVQ 2 course in a couple weeks. The course structure is a bit unusual, the modules are two/one days at a time and the rest is home study. I'll be studying at the London School of Beauty and Makeup. Just to give you an idea of the course structure:

14/15 Sep - Mani/Pedi
24/25 Sep - Facials
28/29 Sep - Waxing
28 Oct - Eye Treatments
2/3 Nov - Makeup

I have bought the official NVQ 2 textbook in advance (it's only recommended for the course, not required) and have done a little reading, but I've also been making a lot of notes for my first module.
Each day at the school will consist of theory in the morning followed by practical in the afternoon.

All I know about the home study is that I will be getting assignments to do at home and will be assessed for all my modules at the end of the year.

Already I'm freaking out about my first day at the school and frantically reading Mani/Pedi stuff to prepare. Do you think I'm over-doing it? I'm worried that I will get there and people will be more clued up than me, I don't want to go in blind, so to speak. But the problem is when I read the textbook and make notes, it's so overwhelming - there is so much info to take in and it all sounds so complex! I'm scared I won't do well. The core units are scaring me the most!

I'm 23 btw and I'm re-training to be a beauty therapist because I've always wanted to do it and have been stuck in office jobs forever.

Anyway so my general question is, should I study lots now or wait until I have started the course? Are there any tips you have for being a new student or studying in general?

Thank you,

xx

 

[shel84]

So its a course just over 3 months? When i did my beauty specialist diploma it was over 1 year in the eveings and that felt pretty intense! Felt like a lot of the modules were a bit crammed in in that space of time!

 

[Kitty Napalm]

It's the open learning course, here is the manifesto on why they structured it this way: Beauty Therapy Courses Online | Beauty Courses UK

It's generally for people who don't have the time to take a year or more out for training. I can't get a job in this market in what I'm qualified in, and I need to be re-trained quickly which is why I chose it. I guess most people will think it a bit rushed though.

xx

 

[shel84]

Good luck with the course, hope it goes well

 

[Mizz Beauty]

Hi Michelle

Im doing the Beauty Specialist diploma next week.... Can i ask what u thought about it.

 

[***juice***]

God I did my Level 2 last year over 2 nights per week (over about 9 months or so) and tbh that felt a bit like a lot was "crammed" in. I'd be careful about making too many notes - at this stage it's probably pretty hard to grasp what you need to be able to chant off the top of your head and what you don't, it would be really disheartening to realise that you've religiously learned something that's not that important! I'd have found it really hard trying to do, in particular, the practical work without real guidance - if you're practicing something wrong every time, and no-one points it out to you, you're screwed!

The best (but slightly geekiest) thing I did was pin a list of deadlines etc to my bedroom so I always knew what needed to be done when. You'll have to be pretty organised about things, but if you're an office bird, like me, you probably don't find that too shabby.

Don't expect to turn up and paint a nail and pass - there's a lot to remember, a lot of theory and some of the stuff is quite physical (waxing!). But most importantly, good luck! :hug:

 

[shel84]

Hi Mizz Beauty
Overall I really enjoyed the course, made some good friends, was pretty tiring doing 2 evenings a week as i was working full time and going straight from work. Theres some really boring elements in the course (the theory side some of the A&P and business studies) but you need to learn about them so you'll have to grit your teeth and bare it! Mostly it was really fun and intersting though.
I hope you get on well.

 

[Salsaqueen]

Hi there, I'll be starting an intensive Beauty Therapy NVQ 2 course in a couple weeks. The course structure is a bit unusual, the modules are two/one days at a time and the rest is home study. I'll be studying at the London School of Beauty and Makeup. Just to give you an idea of the course structure:

14/15 Sep - Mani/Pedi
24/25 Sep - Facials
28/29 Sep - Waxing
28 Oct - Eye Treatments
2/3 Nov - Makeup

I have bought the official NVQ 2 textbook in advance (it's only recommended for the course, not required) and have done a little reading, but I've also been making a lot of notes for my first module.
Each day at the school will consist of theory in the morning followed by practical in the afternoon.

All I know about the home study is that I will be getting assignments to do at home and will be assessed for all my modules at the end of the year.

Already I'm freaking out about my first day at the school and frantically reading Mani/Pedi stuff to prepare. Do you think I'm over-doing it? I'm worried that I will get there and people will be more clued up than me, I don't want to go in blind, so to speak. But the problem is when I read the textbook and make notes, it's so overwhelming - there is so much info to take in and it all sounds so complex! I'm scared I won't do well. The core units are scaring me the most!

I'm 23 btw and I'm re-training to be a beauty therapist because I've always wanted to do it and have been stuck in office jobs forever.

Anyway so my general question is, should I study lots now or wait until I have started the course? Are there any tips you have for being a new student or studying in general?

Thank you,

xx

Hiya I am just completing my NVQ Level 2 Beauty Therapy course, and it is an intensive course (not at the same college as you though), like you I work in an office in the City. I purchased the NVQ Level 2 yellow book from Amazon, is a great help. Everything in it, is really useful. My first teacher that I had for Mani and Pedi was fantastic, and taught me that knowledge is power, if you know all the bones and arteries etc, even though they may not all be in the final exams, its useful to know. I have to say that I have felt like I've crammed everything in, and has been really stressful at times, though Im sure it has all been worth it. At the end of the day what it comes down to is practise, practise and more practise, that's the only advice I can give you. Don't be worried about other people knowing more than you, I honestly did not have a clue, and most of the people in my class already had a diploma, so were only retaking the course to get their NVQ, if anything they helped me out, corrected me when I did something wrong, and encouraged me to improve. Good luck with the course, its hard work, yes but a lot of fun and whatever you decide to do, its a really useful qualification to have.

 

[Kitty Napalm]

Hiya I am just completing my NVQ Level 2 Beauty Therapy course, and it is an intensive course (not at the same college as you though), like you I work in an office in the City. I purchased the NVQ Level 2 yellow book from Amazon, is a great help. Everything in it, is really useful. My first teacher that I had for Mani and Pedi was fantastic, and taught me that knowledge is power, if you know all the bones and arteries etc, even though they may not all be in the final exams, its useful to know. I have to say that I have felt like I've crammed everything in, and has been really stressful at times, though Im sure it has all been worth it. At the end of the day what it comes down to is practise, practise and more practise, that's the only advice I can give you. Don't be worried about other people knowing more than you, I honestly did not have a clue, and most of the people in my class already had a diploma, so were only retaking the course to get their NVQ, if anything they helped me out, corrected me when I did something wrong, and encouraged me to improve. Good luck with the course, its hard work, yes but a lot of fun and whatever you decide to do, its a really useful qualification to have.

Thank you for your reply, it's very encouraging! I'm of course a bit nervous about everything, but it's good to know you've been doing OK with your intensive course ^^ Good luck with your career!

xx

 

[Mizz Beauty]

Hi Mizz Beauty
Overall I really enjoyed the course, made some good friends, was pretty tiring doing 2 evenings a week as i was working full time and going straight from work. Theres some really boring elements in the course (the theory side some of the A&P and business studies) but you need to learn about them so you'll have to grit your teeth and bare it! Mostly it was really fun and intersting though.
I hope you get on well.

thanks for ur reply... im doing mine on a wednesday 930 till 430.. looking forward to it...

 

[rachiebabie]

thanks for ur reply... im doing mine on a wednesday 930 till 430.. looking forward to it...

hi there, i have just finished nvq level 2 in beauty therapy, i took me 18 months on a saturday all day!! the coarse was really intense you need to know so much i was lucky benuf to work in a salon too with a lady as a trainee a few timea a week. but to be honest to learn it all in 3 months sounds quite ridiculas to me because there is so much u need to learn in order to actually pass then when u get into industry its so hard to get a job as even then most places want level 3!!! the corse i di was a fast track nvq at milton keynes college!! many people think u cant get thses and have to do full time..not the case, i recommend doing it thro a college and getting a nvq....good luck xx:lol: