Let's face the facts, the college experience isn't what it used to be. It's no surprise, since the cost of tuition for several types of institutions rose anywhere from 9-13% in the last 5 years or so.

The experience used to be a glamorized staple of the American Dream. Live in a dorm for 4 years, maybe work a part-time job on the side, and enter into a career with high earnings upon graduation. That's just not the case anymore. What happened to the "college experience" you see in movies and TV, and what options are there outside of that?

Let's take a look at some of the factors at play here, and try to debunk some of the myths about the "right" way to do college.

Myth 1: The college experience can only be found on a university campus.

There's something to be said for the novelty of living in a dorm on campus and immersing yourself in classwork, but we think that's a pretty narrow view of college life.

Ultimately, the best college experiences are the ones that introduce a new social element into your life, while allowing you to pursue skills that you're passionate about and broaden your perspective on the professional world.

What we love about programs like cosmetology is that it provides an alternative to traditional schooling and still offers a unique and fun college experience. Our programs consist of in class training, but also practical training that facilitates the need for interaction and companionship between students and their peers, as well as their salon clients and instructors.

Many of the friendships and professional relationships students build last well beyond schooling, and they're created while our students practice the skills they want to attain the career they're passionate about.

Myth 2: College isn't feasible for people with busy schedules.

Chances are, if you're a single parent, a self-supported individual with a crazy work schedule, or just a generally busy person, the schedules and requirements of traditional college have seemed daunting or even impossible to you.

In reality, there are a lot of alternatives for school when universities aren't attractive options for one reason or another. We think one of the best things about programs like cosmetology is the flexibility it can offer, both in the education stage and the career stage.

While our program is offered in full-time schedules, we also provide part time night and weekend schedules to try and accommodate those students who have other responsibilities that might make schooling a struggle, which brings us to...

Myth 3: Career training is an incredibly long and expensive process.

It's true, it's harder to find time and financial resources to devote to the pursuit of higher education, but cosmetology can be a great solution to these roadblocks. Not only do we offer a variety of scheduling options, but our full-time and part-time cosmetology program can be completed in as little as 42 or 63 weeks respectively.

Cosmetology is a career with a faster than average growth outlook (around 10%), which means that in a fraction of the time many degrees and university programs take to complete, students can potentially enter into a field that is in high demand, with a variety of opportunities for employment and self-employment.

What's even more, we offer competitive tuition rates, in addition to financial aid for those who qualify for several of our programs. The options can come in the form of institutional scholarships, 3rd party scholarships, federal aid (apply through FAFSA), and more.

Myth 4: You can't do it.

Sometimes we are our own biggest obstacle. Especially for those who may have struggled in high school or never thought of themselves as the college type, pursuing an education might seem like somewhat of a lost cause.

We tend to wholeheartedly disagree. Another thing we love about trades, and especially cosmetology, is the emphasis that's put on skills that many students are passionate about. For example, cosmetology often attracts those who love working with their hands, being in a social element, and especially artistic types.

Learning skills that you're passionate about can make education much easier, and our programs and instructors are devoted to a quality education that is attainable to anyone with the drive and willingness to succeed.

Are you ready to pursue career training in cosmetology? Call us today at 877-SAY-JEAN for more information and tour scheduling, or check out our program overview for more information!