“Gamma Phase—finally!” you’re thinking.
Also known as the “State Board Phase,” the Gamma Phase is one of the most important parts of the cosmetology program. You learn each step to pass the skill certifications for the State Board including all the official verbiage that will be used.
One of the best things about being at the Cinta Aveda Institute, during the final phase of the program, is that the school provides us with a practice State Board kit which most other cosmetology schools don’t provide. There are lots of practice tests.
Now this is the home stretch. When you first get into gamma phase, you’ll talk about the things that we’re going to complete this phase. The State Board haircut, basic blow dry and curly iron set, the perm, the relaxer (virgin application and retouch application), color (virgin application and retouch application), manicure, sculpture nail, waxing procedure, and last but not least, the facial.
One of the most important steps for State Board are the three S’s: sanitize, sanitize, sanitize. You can do everything right at the State Board, and I mean perfect to a “t”, and you can still fail if you forgot to sanitize. I try to always keep in mind what our Gamma teacher has taught us—you can never “over sanitize” during the State Board. Even if you get confused and think you don’t need to sanitize, do it anyway. It might just help you pass your test.
Don’t get scared of State Board. You’ll get plenty of time to practice. And you can take advantage of the fact that our school offers us an opportunity to come in on our off days to get extra help with the State Board’s practical.
The Gamma Phase is very very important. You may not be motivated. You may be working long hours. You may have many kids and little time. But whatever your situation, you need to find some motivation and get here. The last thing you want is to get to State Board and not know how to do a procedure. The practice State Board tests are scary, so I can only imagine being in a room full of people I don’t know trying to perform under pressure. Study and take the time to learn and understand every step to State Board. I’m so ready for State Board because of what I learned during Gamma Phase.
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