Entering into the world of scholarship and the academy required a sense of self-awareness and flexibility. In most of my seminars, I was the only female and in every seminar I was by far the oldest. I had to learn to fit in without losing my mojo! So, I made sure to add a pop of color all along the way.

Now, some of my academic colleagues might consider the art of nail painting trivial, nonsensical and perhaps even frivolous, but I consider it an essential part of my person! Whether I am focused on writing, preparing or making a presentation, beautifully painted nails, for me at least, add a sense of flair.

I keep my nails really short since I spend a lot of time typing, so I generally give myself a manicure at least every seven days or so. I make it a point to wear gloves when I clean the house or do the dishes (which I admittedly did not (do not) do very often over the past five years … you can ask Bob).

Here’s my regular routine, just in case you are interested: I often use Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter cuticle cream and consider it a must-have, especially during the chilly and dry winter months. Although I am still hunting for the best nail-file I generally use professional double-sided 100/180 grit files, ten for $3.99, on Amazon. Then, in order to ensure long-lasting wear, I use Revlon base coat—it is cheap and works great. Next, I apply two coats of polish—this is essential for even coverage. My favorite brand is Essie Expressie Quick Dry because of the vibrant color selection and the wide-angled brush that makes application easy. In order to avoid chipping, I choose to invest in Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat—it is the key to a long-lasting, shiny polish, and a bottle usually lasts me four months or so.

Call me crazy, but having pretty nails made a difference on the road to earning my degree. So, add a little color to your life and paint your nails!