Michael Cross - FdA Hairdressing and Salon Management

» Why did you choose this course?

I chose this course to further myself. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do higher education.

My dad did a degree in research and so I wanted to follow the family line.

» Why did you choose Buxton?

I was already here. I had studied my NVQ level 2 and 3 here and liked the teachers. I wanted to have them in my higher education.

They had asked me whether I was interested in doing a degree and I had considered doing one either here or Manchester so I looked round both to see what the course would entail but I felt Buxton was more convenient and I liked the teaching.

I just generally liked it here, the facilities are good.

» What have you found most interesting about the course?

Just generally learning more about myself as a person and what I'm capable of. The basic business skills I've learnt give me a better understanding of the industry. I'm still discovering what I'm capable of doing. There are so many different routes to go down, so many opportunities.

» How do you find the lecturers and the support on the course?

Very good.

I know that I can phone them anytime, obviously within college hours... I know if I'm struggling they will give me advice and somehow explain it to me without doing my work for me... then I go away and know exactly how to do it, its been made a lot clearer without them actually giving me the answer. I think I get a lot of support, just discovering myself. I think Sheila and Louise (my tutors) are excellent.

» How would you describe your experience so far? What have been your highlights?

I've really enjoyed it.

There hasn't been one predominant highlight, it's discovering that I can do it and my grades reflect that. It's all about personal discovery.

Higher education isn't hard, it just takes dedication and time.

» What do you want to do after you've finished your course?

I want to go into education.

I left secondary school knowing that I wanted to be a hairdresser but somehow work in education too. I don't think there's anything better than passing your knowledge onto someone else, it's a brilliant thing to do.

I would love to become a university lecturer for NVQs or higher education one day. I love fashion too so I would go into fashion work, like the Runway, or doing fashion shoots. Having considered fashion though I would want to design things myself and then make them myself but I can't sew at all.

Hairdressing and fashion make me happy though, they compliment each other so well.

» What would you say to someone thinking of coming to study your course in Buxton?

Do it.

It's a nice campus, great teachers, great facilities, just generally a nice place to be. The more you get to know teachers, the more personal it becomes.

What you put in, is what you get out.