New Student Questions

[Hayden K.]

I have a few questions for some of the current students on the board and because everyone has been so wonderful since I joined a few days ago it might be good to ask these questions as my meeting with the school is tomorrow morning. Some of these may be kind of "silly" but I want to get opinions here so here it goes:

1. Should I try and see both a hands-on class and a book learning class if possible?

2. Should I try and talk to one of the instructors?

3. What if I get a good feeling about the school but am nervous about if I can afford this wonderful adventure?

4. What else, besides the financial and classes should I ask my addmissions counselor?

Thank you guys in advance for your thoughts. You are all wonderful. To all my pagan friends, Blessed Ostara and to other friends who may not be pagan, Happy Spring!!

 

[thecoolnessest]

Well i am not a student anymore but it hasn't been that long that I don't rememeber what you are going thru on the thought process.
So
1./2. Does the school offer a try it out weekend class? If so thats the best way to get a feel for teaching style. If thats not possible then I would try and sit in an hour or two on the classes. It may be that the classes are set up daily as 1/2 hands on 1/2 theory or something like that. If a school is really open and believes in and supports their instuctors then you should be able to chat casually with an instructor. But better then that is talking to current or past students.
3. If you are normal then you WILL be nervous about whats to come. But nervous is one thing and your gut screaming out to you that this is not the fit will probaly be obivious.
And last I reccommend seeing more then one school if there are choices in your area. I looked at six and they are all very different.
Best of luck

 

[Girl]

:iagree:

 

[Stupendous315]

Do they offer inexpensive student massages? Might be a worthwhile investment.

 

[I can haz your soul]

I am a 36yr old male that is looking into going to Massage School. I have checked out a couple of schools, and I think I have found the one for me to go to. Reading different post on here, it sounds like it is going to be tough with all the studying, but well worth it. Is there anything I should be aware of before I commit to the investment of becoming a Massage Therapist ?

 

[Top Cat]

Hey C2 - yours is a *very* broad question. You will probably get better answers if you start a separate thread for yourself and give us all some particulars about yourself. Welcome to the boards and to the profession!

 

[Gypsy]

I am a 36yr old male that is looking into going to Massage School. I have checked out a couple of schools, and I think I have found the one for me to go to. Reading different post on here, it sounds like it is going to be tough with all the studying, but well worth it. Is there anything I should be aware of before I commit to the investment of becoming a Massage Therapist ?

I agree with BJB, and I think I can start it off

First, research the field, just like it looks like you're doing now. Read through the threads on this board; they will give you the equivalent of several years' experience in just a few months (at least, that's what I feel happened to me!) LOL (I went from feeling green to feeling not-so-green rather quickly.)

Second, and this isn't to plant pessimism into your mind, but what my husband (who is also an LMT) has run into some old prejudices and attitudes toward male therapists. He has found it a little more challenging to get clients solely due to his plumming. If this is true where you live also, simply approach each client with gentle confidence and be aware of all boundary-related issues such as draping and how you phrase things. (You'd be amazed at how different your meaning is from someone else's interpretation!)

If you're going into practice for yourself, understand that it takes time to build it up. You may want to consider working someplace that has an established clientele at least part-time and building your own clientele on the side. If you don't have a CPA to help you with write-offs and avoid/handle tax audits, get one. And save your receipts!

Also, if you're just starting your research and don't already know this, keep in mind that traditional income-potential number-crunching (8 hrs x fee = $$$ per day!!!) is NOT going to apply to massage therapy. I (along with most) consider a full day to be anywhere from 3-5 sessions, and you probably won't be that busy to start.

Last but not least, you MUST enter this with both your head and your heart. Clients can tell if their MT is just in it for the money, or if the MT is mentally preoccupied; it shows, and it's tough to hide! Stay lose, stay focused on the client, remain aware of the boundaries, keep in touch with your clients' reactions (verbal or not) to the massage, and listen to their chief complaints. Be very communicative. People will come in twice a year and expect you to fix all their problems in a single 1-hour session. This is simply not possible. So be honest with them and give it to them straight--they may or may not like your answers/advice, but they'll thank you and respect you for your honesty.

Oh and yet another thing...STUFF in this career comes and goes, whether it's clients, income, etc. Your experience will morph and change, and every day will bring something new. Your client base will morph and change as well. Your knowledge base will expand and evolve. Never let it get stale! Always learn something new. Go to seminars, weekend workshops, or other classes. Schedule yourself days off. Stay fresh, stay committed. You will form deep connections with your clients, and vice versa. You'll get just as much out of this career as you put into it!

Hope that's a start
Hugs,
~Jyoti

 

[Apocalypse Cow]

1- Both. never take a class that has you learn forms out of a book (I dont think they exist anyways) and dont go to classes that show you how to make people feel good without showing you the basics in a book.

2-Yes, and watch for red flags: avoiding questions, immediatly downing a modality or school or saying somethings that most schools teach are "unimportant" also watch for buff-and-fluff places; schools that teach some you medial massage for a few months and send you away, a good sign are places that are in strip malls. besides the scam places you should also talk with the staff to make sure this place is right for you in the first place.

3-Look into student loans and finincial aid (if you school doesnt have either, that is a big red flag) you should however feel nervous anyways considering that unless your parents are millionaires who love you very much your going to have to pay for this sooner or later.

4- Is the school credited, how long will it take, what massage styles will they teach ect.

Keep your head up and do your research about your school. I was originally looking at another place but a freind convinced me to go to the school Im in now, which ended up being the wiser decision. I dont want to scare you by talking about buff-and-fluff schools but they are out there, and even if a school isnt one of those it can also just be bad.

 

[britt_bratt_rulz]

Haven't been here for awhile, but thought I would check in. I have enrolled and about a month into my schooling. The things I worried about aren't as bad as I was expecting, just getting back into a study habit after being out of school for many years is tough. A whole lot of time needs to be devoted to studying, but it has been great so far.