I NEED HELP!!

I have short curly hair that I lighten to blonde- level 12, natural. My hair naturally sits at about a level 6 or 7, natural.  It's a medium natural blonde that lightens to a about a 12 when in the sun. 
Anyhow, I've had it this blonde only a the top section. I wore it all summer long.  About 2 months ago, I decided it was getting too dry so, I color it back to something close to my natural.  I hated it. The tones were to gold. To be expected I suppose.  So... I lightened it back, but had to pre-lighten this time in order to remove the deposited color.
My hair, needless to say, is in shambles!! The underneath still curls really pretty, but the top just lays there. Won't hardly wave. I've used Nexxus' Emergency treatment and have done a deep conditioning treatment. But so far, nothing seems to have done much.
I was thinking of buying a Reconstructive conditioner that's suppose to bring the hair back to it's natural pH level, something like 4.5 or 5. 5... it's K-Pak by Joico. 
Sadly, my instructor at school doesn't know much about curly hair and can't offer me much help.
Can somebody here PLEASE help me. I want my curly hair back!!!

~mandi

goodness, have i been in school this long and still know so little???
obviously, yes. should i ask for a refund??? *laughing*

Well, thank you for the insight and the education on hair color and levels and numbers 10-12! *wink*

I will take the advice seriously and do as was said. The last thing I need on top of really pretty golden, limp hair is, well, no hair at all.
I'll do the once a week thing with the Kpak and get a really good deep conditioner, can you recommend one??

for what it's worth, i guess, the hair color is really pretty. ahahahhahaa!!

Again, thank you so much!!!

Hi Mandi!-

Unfortunately this also happened to me in beauty school only my hair fell out!  Yikes!  I found that Brocato Cloud 9 shampoo and treatment work really well.  Also Russ' suggestion with the rollers is a good one until your hair gets back into shape.  You said your hair is short correct?  At least you dont have a long time to grow it out although it felt like an eternity when I was growing mine back.  Unfortunately it just takes time (ugh!)  K-Pak is a great treatment too.  Sometimes I would put it on with a plastic cap or a towel warmed in the dryer and cook dinner or just watch tv.  I wish you the best of luck!!!