Reddit mentions of Equinox International Professional Razor Edge Series - Barber Hair Cutting Scissors/Shears - 6.5" Overall Length with Fine Adjustment Tension Screw - Japanese Stainless Steel

Eh, depends on your hair really. My hair is not fine and not stick-straight, so I'm less concerned that I'll mess it up. Mine is long with long layers, so it's easy for me to section it out (according to layer length), pull the hair forward in front of my shoulders (so I'm not cutting anything I can't see and/or having to use mirrors to see what I'm cutting) and lightly trim. This is pretty much the method I use, although she is intentionally defining more layers whereas I am just maintaining the layers I already have.

Tips -

I trim the lengths my hair when it's dry or mostly dry. Otherwise I'm not able to section out the layers as easily. If I'm cutting my bangs, it's easier to do it when it's wet.

I trim a very small length of hair at a time, because my focus is primarily on split ends. I find that the more you do at a time, the easier it is to cut it unevenly.

I use really, really sharp shears that are solely for hair. Mixing your shears (fabric shears for paper, desk shears for kitchen, kitchen shears for hair, etc.) is sacrilege.

As for tutorials, watch them ALL. Seriously. Even the less helpful ones will add to your knowledge. Watch the more helpful ones several times. Focus in on those that have hair similar to yours. Watch professional hairstylist videos too, not just DIY. Reflect on how they section hair, hold the scissors, how much they snip at a time, etc.

Honestly check out YouTube. I'm sure there are plenty of good tutorials there. This one and this one are both fairly straightforward and will look good if done right.

A few things of note. MAKE SURE you work with wet (rinse thoroughly, then pat to damp with a towel) hair and have the following:

1. Decent quality scissors designed for cutting hair. They don't have to be the $300 per pair or more kind that real stylists use, but you'll have a hard time with kitchen scissors.
   
   
2. A good comb like this one.
   
   
3. Sectioning clips. If you're working with long hair, I'd suggest these.
   
   
4. A spray bottle.
   
   
5. You may want a cape for cleanliness purposes, but it's by no means necessary.
   
   General tips
   
   
6. Work with clean, conditioned hair. A good way to do this is cut it just after she's gotten out of the shower.
   
   
7. Make your sections straight and clean. It won't be easy if you've not done it before, but it will make some difference.
   
   
8. Take your time.
   
   
9. Cut less than you think your target amount is at first. You can always trim further if needed, but you can't put length back once you've cut it off.
   
   Good luck! Let me know if I can be of more help.

I would get an electric razor with guides. They go as short as 1/16 of an inch, so you should be able to at least do some maintenance. I am a woman with undershaved hair (the back of my neck is shaved under my long hair, about 2 inches up), and I have to redo it every 2 weeks as well, because my hair grows so quickly. I also cut my husband's hair and my hair because of our financial situation. I have gotten very good at it, and really, most of cutting hair is about blending. Look up some YouTube videos and you can learn a lot. I learned how to do my own layers and bangs, and I bought some professional shears on Amazon for 15 dollars. They are higher rated than the 100 dollar German professional shears, I will link below. You will probably never be good enough to replace a professional cut, unless you go to cosmetology school yourself. However, I see no issue in a little upkeep as long as your stylist approves. I bet you could even ask them to help you learn to touch it up if you ask nicely and are a good tipper when you do go in.

Here is a link to those amazing shears. Be sure to watch some youtube videos for how to adjust, clean, and maintain them. I hope I have been helpful!

Equinox Professional Razor Edge Series - Barber Hair Cutting Scissors/Shears - 6.5" Overall Length with Fine Adjustment Tension Screw - Japanese Stainless Steel - Lifetime Guarantee! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KVYBY8M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_V2JJxbZYD478K


Edit: I forgot to tell you to keep in mind that no matter what happens, hair grows--and what luck, yours does so very quickly! I have messed up my own hair before and it becomes unnoticeable in a week or so, which is nothing in the grand scheme of things. So, if you mess up, your new mantra shall be, "Hair grows." :-)

Honestly since you're in school I would recommend getting a cheap set. My school set came with shitty shitty terrible shears as well, so I ordered a set from Equinox on amazon for $30 and they're fine. If you screw them up you're not out a lot of money. If someone walks off with them you don't have to worry about it. If another person in the school forgets his shears and grabs yours you don't have to worry about it.

Hattori Hanzo shears are great, but they're professional shears, not student shears.

Just bought this pair from amazon a few days ago - seems to work really well, as I just did search and destroy over the last several days.