The School of Life

This is one of my favorite places in London and possibly even the world. I beg you to come out to Los Angeles! Some of my favorite memories living in London was walking into this store with a coffee and leaving a different person.

I totally agree with the individual who reviewed the School of Life — he goes under name, Rory.
And yes, I totally admit, that I myself do not know what to make of the School of Life.
Apparently, the School of Life declares itself to free from dogma, not affiliated to any religious, educational, charitable or other organisations. I cannot see how that’s possible to be honest.
I know, as well as everyone else that the School of Life, was or still is owned and founded by Alain de Botton, author and philosopher, along side with Sophie Howarth, a former curator from the Tate Modern.
I know that the shop has changed substantially since 2008, when the School of Life first opened it’s door for the first time.
As of late, my retail experience while browsing inside the School of Life philosophy bookshop, has been somewhat completely disappointing. I find all the staff very cold, dismissive, ignorant and more importantly, totally disinterested in what you are looking.
I wouldn’t even waste your brain cells on the School of Life — at all.
To call themselves, «School of Life» seems nice and beautiful on the outside.
But on the inside, as soon as you walk into their premises, I find the staff incredibly cold, rude, condescending, patronizing, true ignorance and very distant.
To be very clear to anyone who reads this: the staff at the School of Life, never say hello to you, when you enter their premises and they never say goodbye to when you exit their premises.
That to me, is totally unjust, considering that they stock some pricey black crew-​neck Philosophy jumper, designed by Bella Freud; I’d rather go to Dover Street Market, to buy a Comme des Garçons jumper from those guys, at least I am being served by polite and decent Japanese retail staff unlike the rotten and cold rude staff members at the School of Life.
Considering the retail prices are slightly more expensive then in Mayfair shops — I seriously hate the staff who run the School of Life, with absolute passion. Mentioning ignorant, I find the retail manager (male) — I find him totally ignorant, impolite and very dismissive.
I will not mention any names of staff members, however I will confirm that the staff who run the School of Life, a total waste of human DNA.

I first came across The School of Life when a friend recommended one of their courses. The evening class on «How to find the job you love» is one of their best sellers and well worth visiting for anyone caught in the rate race. Whether you are looking to change careers or just hoping to get more out of your existing work situation, everyone comes out of the class refreshed and motivated. Lovely nibbles and wine are served throughout the evening and prevent the classes from feeling too much like «proper» school. There is a strong element of interaction, and it is great meeting other pupils in similar mindsets.
Just one visit instilled a massive level of trust in me, and I didn’t hesitate long when the offer of a cycling weekend in South Wales was announced. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the experience exceeded any possible expectations! The group was led by Rob Penn («It’s all about the bike») and based in the beautiful Gliffaes Hotel in the Brecon Beacons National Park. The cycling routes were designed to suit all levels of fitness and experience and everyone in our group of ten had a wonderful experience. Some brought our own bikes, others had hire bikes prepared for them. We were extremely well looked after. Not only with food and drink, but also with poem readings over picnic and a slide show of Rob’s cycling trip around the world.
The muscle aches will subside, but the memories of a most perfect weekend will remain.
It won’t be long before my return to school, there’s so much else to discover and explore.

Ah, the ever-​inspiring School of Life. Sometimes I think they could benefit from some more challenging presenters, but I keep coming back because I love the vibe and the philosophy behind the place.

Philosophy made practical. The School of Life is a wonderous little place, providing courses for the curious in such important topics as Love, Work, Play and Family. These core classes take in a range of activities, from lectures to individual and group exercises and even Freudian analysis.
Alongside this key activity they also have «Sermons» where once a month an expert gives a lecture on some esoteric topic; «Holidays» where the participants are guided through the streets of London in order to learn more about the topic, be it for writers, photographers or some other creative outlet. Meals are an interesting way to meet and communicate with others, providing a menu of conversation topics to get things going, and the breakfasts are a healthy and inspiring way to start the day.
There is also a small bookshop upstairs covering these topic areas and the overall feel of the place is one of fun learning.

I really hope this interesting little concept store flies. I came to their opening weekend, and it certainly seems there was enough interest given the number of people there — but it will really be a matter of how many of them bite into their £195 courses on life’s «big issues» — «love, politics, work, family, play,» they say. (Especially given the current economy, I worry that many people’s «big issue» will be whether or not they’re getting a paycheck…)
As another reviewer mentioned, indeed Mr. Alain de Botton is on the board, and was actually there when I stopped in. He was wonderfully approachable and warm in-​person… and was drumming up interest for the exciting expedition he would be leading… to Heathrow Airport… where people would learn to find awe in everyday, kind of ugly, mundane things.
In sum, this shop offers access to great minds, town hall meetings, trips, and well-​chosen books… all in an effort to provide answers to the hard questions and help you live a fulfilling life.
If you’re still struggling to grasp what it is exactly these folks are trying to «sell,» their pitch materials provide a spot-​on allegory — we used to call institutions peddling such things «religion.»

Have you had one of those mornings lately in which you got up and wondered why you were doing a job that exhausted you or that you didn’t really enjoy? Or found yourself spending the day running against the clock, too stressed to eat properly but not actually creatively challenged?
The School of Life is a place to step back and think intelligently about these and other common concerns. It is a social enterprise, which can really have a profound effect on the way you think and generally live your life. If you have no concerns in your life then probably this is not the right place for you. I wouldn’t say it is pretentious I think it challenges your views and arouses thought provoking conversations. The courses are taught once a week for six weeks or over a weekend, they are £195, not cheap at all but you will leave with a different perspective and that has got to worth something. Check out the shop for creative gift ideas and innovative consumerism, for instance the ‘Guerilla Gardening Box’ contains all you need to reclaim abandoned, garden it and make it a place for everyone to use.
I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered that the book I am reading at the moment is written by one of the School of Life’s Faculty members: Alain de Botton.

I am not sure what to make of «School of Life». On one hand it is novel concept, on another hand it screams tweedy intellectualism with a dash of Kumbya Atheism.
I liked the Robert Emerson book of essays for 2.50 on sale, and a book about teaching your grandma how to text.
This place offers free tea and course for adults about love and life. There are little presents here (like poster books of quotes, that are like SO DEEP).
I find this place a bit pretentious in an unassuming way. Unsure what to make of it even now.

A new and innovative venture opened this summer, the School for Life is a centre for courses and a small bookshop focusing on enhancing life through philosophy. It hosts talks by thinkers such as Alain de Boton (popular philosopher) and Tom Hodgkinson (renowned Idler), runs courses on wide and unusual sunjects such as how to enjoy Heathrow terminal five (?!), guerilla gardening, and family life. It also offers a bibliotherapy service, whereby you learn which books might suit your personal needs, and hosts dinner parties with strangers where interesting topics are discussed