Read online about Caesar’s rule as the leader of the Roman Empire, and learn about his rivalry with Marcus Brutus, Mark Antony, and Cassius. Watch re-enactments of the assassination by his rivals on YouTube, and consider his importance as a historical figure.. Many historians agree that the assassination of Caesar was a turning point for the Roman Empire, so the Ides of March is an extremely important day for the history of the world! Find the book online or read an online version to learn about the days leading up to and just after Caesar’s assassination. While some of the play is fictional and dramatic, a lot of the story is historically accurate and is very entertaining to read. Shakespeare wrote in early modern English, which can be difficult to read. If you want a modern English version of the play, search online for a modern English translation, such as the “No Fear Shakespeare” version. Many museums have historical or art collections with pieces from ancient Rome. Find a museum with a collection near you, and plan a visit for the Ides of March. Look at the pieces of art and the artifacts to imagine what life was like during the life of Julius Caesar, Brutus, and Marc Antony.  Check to see if the museum offers discounts for students or weekday visits. Always be respectful while inside of the museum. Don’t touch any of the artifacts unless you’re instructed to, and follow the museum rules about photography. Learn how to pronounce phrases like “Salve,” which means welcome; “Quomodo vales?” which means how are you; and “Nomen mihi est…” which means my name is. This will help you get in the mindset of a Roman citizen during the time of Caesar.  Phrases like “Et tu, Brute?” meaning “And you, Brutus?” as well as “Veni, Vidi, Vici,” meaning “We came, we saw, we conquered,” are important Latin quotes by Caesar that you can use throughout the day. Latin is considered a “dead” language because there are currently no native speakers in the world, but it’s still an extremely important language. If you enjoy learning the language, you can take courses in Latin online or in school to help you study for other topics, like history, science, and art. Some people believe that the Ides of March are cursed due to a number of bad events on that day throughout history. Learn a bit about the German occupation of Czechoslovakia, the Somoan Cyclone, and beginning of the Arab Spring, all of which happened on March 15th. This is also the reason that some people will still say to “Beware the Ides of March!”

Summary: Research the life and death of Julius Caesar. Read Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” to get a more dramatic take on his death. Visit a museum that has exhibits on ancient Rome. Brush up on simple Latin phrases. Look up other famous events that happened on March 15th.


Turtles will burrow into mud during cold seasons and go into a state called torpor (similar to hibernation). During this time, the turtles’ activity is minimal. They will remain in this state until warmer weather returns. Limited evidence shows that terrapins may also spend some time hibernating in mud, or in periods of reduced activity. Eating habits of turtles will vary greatly by species and environment, but can include plants, insects, and other small animals. Since they are land dwellers, tortoises tend to eat low-lying plants such as grasses, shrubs, and even cacti. The diet of terrapins has not been thoroughly studied. Land-dwelling tortoises will build nesting burrows and lay eggs. Species of turtles and terrapins that spend time both on land and in water, as well as sea-dwelling turtles, will all leave the water to lay their eggs.

Summary: Watch for periods of reduced activity. Observe what the reptile eats. Determine nesting behavior.


Remove the mussels from whatever packaging the store used right away, otherwise the mussels are at risk of suffocating. If you don’t have time to sort through them immediately, at least move them out of the package and into a bowl in the fridge, and cover them with ice. Mussels are the best when bought and cooked on the same day, though they can last in the fridge for 1 to 2 days if you need to buy them beforehand. Look at each mussel individually. Any mussels that have large cracks across them or that are smashed and crumpled need to be thrown away. Chances are, they are already dead. If a mussel is open, that is also a sign that it has died and should be discarded.  Not all gaping mussels need to be discarded. You can quickly test to see if it’s still alive by tapping it on the counter or against another mussel. If it closes, that means the mussel is still alive and you can use it. If it doesn’t move, throw it away. Some mussels that are stressed, but not dead, will open slightly, so give them a quick check before throwing them out. You can sometimes leave them in the fridge for longer, but 1 to 2 days is a safe window. If you do leave them for a few extra days, make sure they still smell like the ocean (rather than like rotten fish) and that they haven’t gotten slimy. If you find you won’t be able to use your mussels in time, you can transfer them to a resealable plastic bag and store them in the freezer for up to 2 to 3 months.

Summary: Examine the mussels as soon as you get home from the store. Discard cracked, smashed or open mussels, as they can make you ill. Use fresh mussels within 1 to 2 days of purchasing them.


There are many summer schools or courses which are at least 5 nights long, and you can learn things at the same time too. This can also be an asset to your personal statement if you do something related to your intended course of study, e.g. Medlink for Medicine, JACT summer schools for Classics, etc. They will probably have some information on some courses that could be useful for you, and some teachers even teach also at these events! There are loads of great volunteering opportunities wherein you can fulfill your requirements for the Residential section and do some good at the same time. You could go abroad and help with a project, like building a school, or look for some smaller projects, again like with the elderly or the disabled. You could also see if there's a school/scout/guide group that wants to do something like a summer camp who would appreciate your assistance. If you don't find anything related to your academic interests, or you don't have any especial academic interests, search online for fun things you could do. There are many many places that offer week-long activity residentials, e.g. The National Trust, so search around until you find something that catches your eye.
Summary: Go on a course. Ask your teachers for ideas. Do some volunteering. Research online.