I've been cutting my hair with clippers since senior year of high school. I had long hair (think Pickford from Dazed and Confused, the dude that got caught by his parents setting up the kegger) but kept the back short enough to stay off my collar per the dress code. I got called to the dean's office and told I need to cut my hair as it was not a "gentleman's cut".
I was pissed so I bought clippers and buzzed it all off that night. I've cut my hair ever since with help to clean up the back and neck line. I've mixed in a few mohawks, mullets, soccer mullets over the years but usually just let it grow for a couple months then 3 or 4 on top and 2 on the sides. I'm on my second set of clippers 16 years later.