Barston Blog

Are you someone who has an innate interest in the world around you? Do you also enjoy researching information and talking to people? If so, a career in journalism may be a good match. The fact that the world is much more globalised and connected makes this career option incredibly…

We all have values and aspirations that are important to us whether we realise it or not. These values may be specific career goals or a more general set of guiding principles which bring direction to our lives. For some people, the family and friends they surround themselves…

Are you an A-level or GCSE student looking to improve your revision tactics? Whether you're struggling to reach your academic potential or you're seeking some manageable learning strategies to improve performance, this blog will help. Top tutor, Scott has figured out the most effective strategies and techniques, based…

The ICB Bookkeeping Course Completing an ICB Bookkeeping course through Barston College has changed my life in so many ways. This qualification has been key to unlocking my career goals and has enabled me to feel much more fulfilled. This time last year, I felt like I had no…

There seem to be a guru for everything these days? Just about everywhere you look there is someone proclaiming to be a guru of something. I'm not sure either! It can be quite baffling. Origins of a Guru? The concept of a "guru" appears to have originated within Hindu…

What is a QCF qualification? The Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) is a new credit transfer system which has replaced the National Qualification Framework (NQF). It recognises qualifications and units by awarding credits. Each unit has a credit value and the credits can be transferred. The system gives…

Motivation is and has been the topic of so many studies, self-help books, seminars, and so on. It is still very abstract for us to grasp. This is an article about how to recruit and retain motivation. Motivation is a powerful, yet precarious beast to conquer. Sometimes it’s very easy…

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past few months, you would have undoubtedly come across the term "fake news". But what is it all actually about? If you have been paying attention to recent developments you will have noticed the increasing concern around what has been called…

The majority of people change their jobs every three years. This could be due to a promotion or a move to a new company. But what if you have come to loathe the industry you work in?   For some reason, we are asked to…

Statistics from Childline, a helpline sponsored by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) indicate that the volume of children and young people accessing support for online bullying (commonly called cyberbullying) has increased by 88% within the past five years. Although this may sound troubling, many…

Being a distance learning student is a very rewarding experience. It leads to increased knowledge and better qualifications. Of course, there will be times when being a student is more challenging, especially before assignment deadlines and exams. Due to the nature of distance learning, students studying in this way may…

Top British cyclist Sir Bradley Wiggins has recently announced his retirement from the sport following an illustrious career, which includes becoming the first British competitor to win the Tour de France in 2012. Few can blame him for embracing new challenges, especially given his achievements. It will be interesting…

Okay, so it's cold outside and the thought of getting up early out of the warm and comfy bed is more terrifying than appealing. I understand. As you peep out of the window, the glistening frost has surrounded you, somehow it's even less appealing to stick to those resolutions. I…

Are you considering a PRINCE2 Qualification? Are a little unsure as to what it can do for you? What does a PM do? Project managers plan and organise resources and people to make sure projects finish on time. As well as stay within budget and meet the requirements of the…

It's hard to get by these days without good communication skills. You now live and work in a knowledge economy that requires the ability to exchange ideas and concepts. Good communication skills may not come naturally to everyone, but this does not necessarily need to be an issue, as there…

Things change so quickly. The most important moments can pass you by as you deal with your everyday life. Sometimes the only way to appreciate the world around you is to capture it. How? Most effectively through written words or visual means. Photography, is a great way to create a…

For all you keen gardeners out there, last spring no doubt feels like a very distant memory. You are now entering what is known as the dormant season of gardening, which can make gardeners feel a little blue. Here are some winter gardening tips to help you get through winter.

Taking an exam is a high-intensity experience that requires long-term preparation and commitment. Failing to prepare properly for exams could lead to your brain going blank or foggy at the worst moment. When you've been studying for an exam for a long time, for example with…

The process of learning can be much more complicated for children diagnosed with autism. Therefore, teachers who have pupils with an autism diagnosis in their classroom should tailor their teaching plan accordingly. The degree to which children will struggle with mainstream teaching methods will depend on where…

Classrooms sizes in the UK, especially for A-levels and GCSEs, have grown over the years as the population has increased. A recent Department of Education report stated, births in 2010 were around 20% higher than in 2002. This report also found evidence of a link between class…

In today's world, the ability to come across as confident is so essential for a whole host of activities, from landing a date to securing your dream job. However, many of you struggle with appearing confident. Not everyone has the ability or belief in themselves to come across as confident.

Distance learning sometimes referred to as E-learning or online learning, is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. More and more people are becoming more interactive with technology. Consequently, E-learning is becoming increasingly easier to access, therefore making it easier to study the subjects of your choice from the…

How Distance Learning Changes Lives, here are 2 of our most recent : Barston College are a truly student orientated college. Dedicated not just to providing a learning course, but providing a new way of life for you. Hannah, contacted some previous students who had submitted impartial, unprompted reviews and…

Getting children to the school gates is one thing, but making sure they’re engaged in lessons is quite another. Homeschooling parents, teachers and TAs are all responsible for ensuring children of all ages are focused, motivated, and inspired by their learning, but keeping engagement levels high is no mean…