“Two people in my family do it, and I just wanted to try it,” Nichols said. “I tried it my junior year and really liked it so I stayed in it.”

During the first year of cosmetology, students receive their permit. Nichols has acquired around 700 hours in cosmetology but needs 1500 hours to graduate. Nichols said she will have to go two more semesters in college to finish her hours either at Pulaski Tech or Paul Mitchell.

“We have theory twice a week, which is when we do our workbook. And we are in the salon everyday,” Nichols said. “But it’s not just cosmetology, we go over human anatomy to learn about skin diseases.”

After college, Nichols will be required to take the state board test to get her license.

“I want to internship and get a lot of experience, then work for someone and eventually own my own salon. I’m debating on down the road getting a business degree from Pulaski Tech or UCA,” Nichols said.