If you take a look at any calendar or diary, you may see that different literary events are marked. Coming up on the 2nd of April is International Children’s Book Day, and what better way to celebrate this than just before the Easter break! For well over 50 years, this has been recognised the world over. The Hosting of International Children’s Book Day Maybe you haven’t heard of International Children’s Book Day. Well, it takes place on 2 April (or close to this date), which happens to be the birth date of well-known children’s writer Hans Christian Andersen’s. It has been operating since 1967 ..read more

As a student, you’re going to get a lot of feedback, and it can be daunting for a young person or a learner who isn’t particularly confident. Praise can be downplayed in favour of dwelling on the criticism (which is in itself always intended to be constructive). Don’t Take It Personally Feedback is there to help you turn weaknesses into strengths. It is a crucial aspect of improving your writing and critical thinking skills, so ignore it at your peril. But just how can you get the most out of it to help get the best out of you? Enjoy The Praise; Embrace The Criticism The first step in utilizin ..read more

Robert Frost is one of the most beloved and celebrated poets in American history, and he is renowned for his ability to capture the essence of country life and its struggles. Born in San Francisco on March 26, 1874, Frost was the son of a newspaper editor and a homemaker. He was educated at Dartmouth College and Harvard University, and was a teacher for several years before moving to England in 1912. Frost was a prolific writer, and his poems are noted for their simplicity and directness. His works often reflect the rural life of his New England upbringing, and his writing style is often descr ..read more

The Adventure Begins Here If you recognise the names Frodo Baggins, Smaug, and Aragorn, then you’re probably a fan of J. R. R. Tolkien. You may have first come to Tolkien by way of the spectacular movies of recent years, which have created legions of new fans. Tolkien Reading Day offers an opportunity to return to his wonderful books, where the myths of Middle-earth began… What Is Tolkien Reading Day? Tolkien Reading Day is celebrated on 25th March each year. This is the date of the end of Frodo’s quest, when the Ring was destroyed, and the Lord of the Rings, Sauron, and his Dark Tower Barad-d ..read more

Education and exams go hand in hand. Exam anxiety is common for many students (and adults, too), and it can significantly affect academic performance. It’s perfectly understandable too, as months of hard work potentially hinge on a couple of hours and a few sheets of A4. Plenty of factors for your success are out of your control: the where, the when, and the questions to answer. That can put a lot of pressure on you, especially when you’re young. But there are factors you can control. In today’s post, we’ll take a look at some of the ways you can manage your mental health through this particul ..read more

Creating a study schedule is an essential part of achieving academic success. The right study schedule can help you manage your time effectively, ensure that you cover all the necessary material, and reduce stress and anxiety. One thing to note is that no two students learn (or revise) in the same way. What follows are just tips, not rules. Use them as a guide to play to your strengths and support your weaknesses. Aim To Achieve The first step in creating a study schedule is to identify your goals. Think about what you want to achieve and what you need to do. Consider the subjects you are stud ..read more

What do you think of when you hear the name Alan Turing? Some consider him the founding father of modern computer science; others associate him with the Turing machine – a precursor to the first computer. For others, his name is synonymous with the endless possibilities of humankind. Perhaps for this reason alone, he remains an inspirational figure. Education Born in London in 1912, Turing attended Sherborne School in Dorset between 1926-1931. Turing’s school days have informed the backdrop of the 2014 Morten Tyldum film The Imitation Game starring Benedict Cumberbatch. During this time, Turin ..read more

Galileo Galilei was an Italian scientist and philosopher who made significant contributions to the fields of astronomy, physics, and mathematics. He is often referred to as the “father of modern science” and is widely considered to be one of the most influential scientists in history. His work was instrumental in the scientific revolution of the 17th century. Here are some of Galileo’s greatest achievements and interesting facts. Greatest Achievements One of Galileo’s greatest achievements was his use of the telescope to observe the night sky. He was the first person to observe the moons of Ju ..read more

What Charles Darwin Knew Then, and What We Know Now After working as a naturalist on a five-year voyage around the world, from 1831 to 1836, Charles Darwin developed some theories around evolution, a hot topic of discussion at the time. His theories were incredibly controversial, as they not only stood against society’s general belief in the Creation but also contradicted Darwin’s own Christian views. It was this, together with the memory of his grandfather’s ostracisation after he had published theories on transmutation, that caused Darwin to fear making his theories public. So it wasn’t unti ..read more

On 25 February 1841, the French artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir was born. Renoir is now celebrated the world over for his development of the Impressionist style. Impressionists often painted everyday scenes of modern life, and they used small brushstrokes and emphasised colour over line in their quest to capture the effects of light and movement, believing that this method of painting could create a more accurate rendition of how we perceive the world. Even if you already knew that Renoir was an Impressionist painter, you may not know some of these other fascinating facts about his life and work ..read more