How did your first class go?

[woogieman007]

Hello everyone,

Got home about an hour ago from my first class in Level 3 Swedish Massage course and my brain is frazzled!

I think I'm going to enjoy the course but at the moment I feel a little bit overwhelmed by it all (overwhelmed is possibly too strong a word - maybe just a bit daunted!).

Did anyone else feel like this at the beginning of their course? And does it get better? I'm not expecting it to be easy, I'm looking forward to the challenge of learning new things but at the moment my head is in a whirl and I'm worried I won't pick up on everything. Luckily I sat next to a girl who is about my age and we seemed to get on so hopefully we can help each other out alot.

I had planned on doing some overtime at work but I think I'm going to give it a miss now!

I'd love to hear other people's views on this and I'd also just like to know how people are getting on with their new courses.

 

[Naim]

Hi Sarah Louise,

I'm glad you enjoyed your first class!!!

I started my massage course on Monday night. We just basically went through what the course entails, what kit we need and some info on assignments and exams. We start the hard work next week!!! I'm not too worried as i still have all of my anatomy and physiology notes from the reflexology course i did a few years ago and its still quite fresh in my mind, so i have a head start in a way.

All i can say to you is try and take it all in your stride. Try and do your homework as soon as it is set, as all of the things you learned in class will still be fresh in your mind. You are also likely to get de-motivated if you leave assignments to build up and move onto other things without finishing them.

I know its hard to study when you are working full time, (i have a full time job and see my reflexology clients on weeknights and weekends, so i know i might struggle!!!), but stay motivated and be proud of what you do. You will reap the rewards of your hard work in no time at all!!

Good luck with your course, and if you ever need to talk to someone, just drop me a line.

Kate xxx

 

[Whancysoync]

I did my first class last night on body massage. I've been so looking forward to it since I enrolled. I was probably a bit too keen and was hoping we could actually do something but the whole three hours seemed to have been taken up with induction. Whilst I know we have to know about fire exits etc, I can't wait to get on and actually learn some massage. Everyone on the course seems nice which is good because the people I studied reflexology with last year were lovely and we all became really good friends so I hope the people on this course will be just as nice.

The massage course is VTCT and I was suprised that for case studies we only have to treat one person twice. For my ITEC reflexology, we had to treat 10 people 4 times. Such a big difference. Can't wait to get started next week and learn some real massage now that induction has been dealt with. At least if there's a fire in the building, I'll know where to go.

Would really love to hear how everyone else is finding their new course.

Mandy

 

[Emzzy]

Hi Kate,

I was wondering how you got on. We also mainly covered what kit we would need etc butwe did go over a few bits like consultations and contra-indacations and contra-actions (I think!) I'm definitely going to try and take it in my stride. My trouble is I look too far ahead and worry about things I don't need to but I'm determined not to do that with this course!

Thanks for the words of encouragment, I may take you up on your offer of dropping you a line. Same goes to you too, although I'm sure it's more likely to be me asking the questions!

Take care

 

[EdaySephe]

Hi Sarah Louise,

Good to hear you got on ok at your first class. I took A&P with Holistic Massage (ITEC & CIBTAC) last September. I really wanted to do Reflexology (starting Oct!!!). I didn't want to do the massage bit. I was so surprised at how much I loved it. It was daunting at first, meeting people you didn't know, having to massage and be massaged by same but wait until your next class.......its great. It seems a lot to learn, the sequence, timing, pressure etc. but it will come to you. Hope you enjoy the course, it opens the door to so much more and I made such good friends from around the country (we keep in touch and have some great "girle nights" and "therapy swaps".

Wishing you all the best,

Rachel.

 

[Kontra~Diction]

Hi Sarah

I was thinking of you last night. I felt the same way as you and thought what am I getting myself into, and had several doubts etc., to carry on. But persevere because its so worth it in the end.

Buy as many books as you can (second-hand from Amazon) - books about Anat & Phys and also Massage - Body Massage, Beauty Therapy Books etc - this will help you in your assignments.

I agree with Kate re the assignments as I too did them as soon as I got them (massage especially). The M2/M74 Health & Safety is very intense and you will need to do lots of research - the internet is a good place to start! I did my assignments the very next day in the evening and handed them in the next week. Some people in my class were still handing in assignments right until the end - for me it would have been too pressurised.

For Anat & Phys, most of our assignment we did in class - so basically copying from the notes that our lecturer handed out. We also had to do a skin assignment on 10 skin disorders but had plenty of time to do it within (7 months).

Once you get into it, you will love it - it was such a great learning experience!

You have my email so please email me if you want to chat about it.

All the best

Tracy (pemba)

 

[BliTZ]

I did aromatherapy last year (after massage the previous year) and I remember leaving my first class thinking: "What have I let myself in for?"
The ITEC syllabus looked so daunting and the amount of work overwhelming. Of course, it WAS a lot of work (especially the 40 case study treatments) but, as suggested above, as long as you do your best to keep on top of it as you go along, it's not impossible.
When I got home after my first class this time last year, I was seriously thinking of giving it up (it was probably only the thought of the fees I'd paid out that kept me going!). But one year later - just like the hundreds of students around the country the previous year, and the year before that, etc - I am now a qualified aromatherapist. Always keep in mind your target and remember that nine months, or whatever, is really not all that long. And if other people have managed it, you can too!

 

[yadi yadi yadi]

I'm doing the VTCT level 3 A&P and Massage.The induction evening waslast week andwe hadour first real lesson on Tuesday evening. It was good fun and interesting and exhausting. One hour theory (contra-indications) to ease us in and then we paired off to practice robing/draping and work on legs.

Mandy, I'm surprised to hear your case studies only require you to treat one person twice. Our instructor says it's up to us how we organise our case studies, so long as we meet all the criteria. She saysthe most efficiently organisedstudent she's ever taught managed to cover all the various requirements in four clients, but that thenorm is about six or seven.Perhaps this is one of those times where it's left to the discretion and chosen priorities of individual instructors.

 

[Tman33]

Hi Tracy,

I'm glad it wasn't just me feeling like that! I've got some books coming in the post from Amazon and been out buying oils etc.

I'm going to have a quiet night in tonight and look through all my notes from last night. Also we've been told to have look through some sheets we've been given on muscles etc. I hope we aren't supposed to know them all by next week, otherwise I'm in trouble!

I'm definitely going to keep on top of assignments, I don't want to get snowed under with it all.

Thanks for the offer of e-mailing you,I have a sneaky feeling I may be taking you up on that!

Take care