Boarders are trying to keep up with their nail routines, but their schedules don’t always allow for it.

While at Williston, it can be hard to keep up with a routine because we all have such a busy schedule, leaving less time for self care. It can also be hard for boarders to settle on a nail salon they like, has hours that work with our schedules, and is also within an appropriate price range and location from school.

As of last year, boarders can now take Ubers to get to nail appointments. Before then, boarders would have to catch rides with a day student or wait till a break came where they could their nails done. The nail salons in town are Western Nails, Lucky Nail, and Studio 72. In Northampton, there are more salons.

Within campus boundaries there is one salon, Western Nails, on Cottage Street. But even though it’s nearby, it can be challening for students to go to somewhere they aren’t familiar with.

Annika Song, who graduated last year, just used to “wing it,” she said.

“I asked my day students friends a lot,” she said. “Before that I just went to the one in Easthampton.”

Some boarders take matters into their own hands and have decided to do their own nails.

Acacia Nikeo, junior from Hartford, Conn., has been doing her own nails since last year.

“I was on TikTok one day and I saw a bunch a videos about doing your own nails and I was like, this seems so much cheaper than going out and getting my nails done every two weeks,” she said.

On average, a fill in nail set is between $40-65 at Kristy’s Nails in Northampton. Acacia does not like spending that much every time.

“I have probably saved hundreds,” she said. “I like getting designs, and designs cost so much money.”

On Amazon, a full gel nail kit with the tips goes for $43.99. Press on nails from Family Dollar cost just $6. Amazon also offers curable gel strips you can stick on your nails and then cure it with a UV light; they range from $9-35.