

Exam Study Expert: ace your exams with the science of learning
William Wadsworth
Don’t work harder, work smarter: how to study effectively and get the grades of your dreams with winning review strategies, killer memory techniques and exam preparation tips you won’t hear anywhere else. Join Cambridge educated psychologist, study techniques researcher, coach and tutor William Wadsworth as we dive into the secrets of academic success.Looking for the grades of your dreams? Want to know the real secrets to preparing for and taking exams? Through a powerful combination of rich personal experience and the very latest learning and memory science, William and his expert guests are here to help. Here's to results day smiles!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 23, 2025 • 10min
206. Time Boxing For Faster Studying
A practical guide to using the time boxing time management strategy to boost focus, sharpen your prioritisation, overcome prioritisation, mitigate perfectionism and ultimately get your work done faster. *Hosted by William Wadsworth, memory psychologist, independent researcher and study skills coach. I help ambitious students to study smarter, not harder, so they can ace their exams with less work and less stress.BOOK 1:1 COACHING to supercharge your exam success: https://examstudyexpert.com/workwithme/Get a copy of Outsmart Your Exams, my award-winning exam technique book, at https://geni.us/exams***As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases on suggested books.Questions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).

9 snips
Nov 9, 2025 • 58min
205. A Hands-On Guide To Zettelkasten Notes: Practical Advice from Expert Bob Doto
Join Bob Doto, an author and Zettelkasten expert, as he shares practical insights on organizing your notes effectively. He defines Zettelkasten and reveals how it transformed his writing process. Discover how to adapt this method for academic projects and learn the workflow of capturing different types of notes. Bob emphasizes the importance of linking ideas and explains how to create structure notes to avoid writer's block. With a focus on simplicity, he makes Zettelkasten accessible for anyone wanting to enhance their note-taking.

8 snips
Nov 2, 2025 • 17min
204. Introducing: "S.O.C.K. To Do Lists" - My Perfect Planning Protocol for Faster Studying
Unlock the secrets to faster studying with a revolutionary new planning technique! Discover how mental clutter hampers efficiency and learn the power of a structured daily task list. By making your tasks Specific, Ordered, and Clear, you can reduce decision fatigue and boost your focus. William shares tips on prioritizing tasks and crafting actionable steps to conquer your to-do list. Plus, find out how checking off tasks enhances motivation and cuts down procrastination. It's all about studying smarter, not harder!

Oct 26, 2025 • 32min
203. Beating a High Stakes Test: Flashcards, Grit and Time (A Student Story)
We're back today for another Student Story: celebrating successfully beating a high-stakes test, and learning all the study techniques that made the difference between pass and fail.Our guest today is veterinary dermatologist Alissa, who confidently passed her specialist exam after spending some time as my coaching client - she put in the hard work, studied smarter and took home a well-deserved win.Alissa shares her practical tips on what made the difference to her confidence and studying success:how she learnt to balance a schedule of digital studying with the demands of a hectic family life how she prioritised effective flashcard technique for an information-heavy exam mastering holistic, calming exam tactics to make a difference on the day and the benefits of working with a study coach (me!) to personalise the techniques we discuss here on the podcast to your own needs**Find out more about Exam Study Expert:Hosted by William Wadsworth, memory psychologist, independent researcher and study skills coach. I help ambitious students to study smarter, not harder, so they can ace their exams with less work and less stress. • BOOK 1:1 COACHING to supercharge your exam success: https://examstudyexpert.com/coaching/ • Get a copy of Outsmart Your Exams, my award-winning exam technique book, at https://geni.us/exams * Podcast edited by Kerri Edinburgh.*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases on suggested books.Questions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).

Oct 19, 2025 • 28min
202. Bouncing Forward: From Guyana to Global Pharma, with Perseverance
Dr. Frank Douglas, a medical doctor and PhD, shares his inspiring journey from humble beginnings in Guyana to leading global pharmaceutical R&D. He discusses the critical role of education and the power of resilience, revealing his strategies for turning setbacks into strengths. Frank emphasizes his anti-fragility concept, promoting a growth mindset. He also reflects on racial discrimination in his career and urges young people to align their talents with purpose, encouraging them to 'bounce forward' and serve their communities.

Sep 28, 2025 • 13min
201. Let It Go: Study Smarter Through Subtraction
Sometimes less just really is more! We're exploring the value knowing when to let things go. We're stopping, dropping, trimming and de-prioritising to make space for the things that matter most. So today, we’ve got three solutions for when three key areas of life get overwhelming and out of balance: Self-careStudy strategies Study tasks**Hosted by William Wadsworth, memory psychologist, independent researcher and study skills coach. I help ambitious students to study smarter, not harder, so they can ace their exams with less work and less stress.BOOK 1:1 COACHING to supercharge your exam success: https://examstudyexpert.com/workwithme/Get a copy of Outsmart Your Exams, my award-winning exam technique book, at https://geni.us/exams **** As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases on suggested books.Questions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).

Sep 21, 2025 • 46min
200. Friendship Expert Dr Kimberly Horn on Social Connection Science for Scholars
Social connections are critical for mental and physical wellbeing, and they significantly impact academic performance. Dr. Kimberly Horne shares evidence-based insights on nurturing friendships even during busy periods of study and examination preparation.• Loneliness affects concentration, GPA, and even immune system function• College social terrain differs dramatically from high school, requiring new connection strategies• Introverts can benefit from sitting in the same class spot and keeping notes about conversation topics• Scheduling social time should be as intentional as scheduling study time• "Micro connections" of just 5 minutes can provide significant benefits during busy periods• Finding your "tribe" through shared interests makes forming deeper connections easier• Friendships serve as anchors during challenging times on campusIf you found this episode helpful, please consider leaving us a review, following the show, or supporting us on Patreon. Your engagement helps us reach more people with these important messages about study success and wellbeing.**Find out more about Dr Kimberly Horn:• Discover more resources on her website: https://www.drkimberlyhorn.com/• Grab a copy of her book Friends Matter, for Life at https://geni.us/kimberlyhorn * **Find out more about Exam Study Expert:Hosted by William Wadsworth, memory psychologist, independent researcher and study skills coach. I help ambitious students to study smarter, not harder, so they can ace their exams with less work and less stress. BOOK 1:1 COACHING to supercharge your exam success: https://examstudyexpert.com/workwithme/ Get a copy of Outsmart Your Exams, my award-winning exam technique book, at https://geni.us/exams * *As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases on suggested books.Questions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).

16 snips
Sep 14, 2025 • 44min
199. Zettelkasten "Super" Notes: with Dr Sönke Ahrens
Dr. Sönke Ahrens, a leading educator and author of 'How to Take Smart Notes,' dives into the power of the Zettelkasten note-taking method. He explains how this nonlinear system boosts productivity, reduces procrastination, and enhances creativity. Ahrens discusses the importance of writing in one's own words to foster deeper understanding and shares insights on different types of notes: fleeting, permanent, project, and literature notes. He also contrasts digital and analog approaches, emphasizing how to get started with this efficient methodology.

Sep 7, 2025 • 25min
198. The Stitch in Time: Small Habits for Academic Success
We explore five essential habits that can transform your academic performance by taking small, consistent actions throughout your studies rather than cramming at the end. Doing these little things well from the beginning will make your academic life significantly easier when exam time arrives.• Stay organised as you go along – identify and remove your specific bottlenecks to staying organised• Learn what excellence looks like in your subject from day one – seek examples and guidance early• Address confusion immediately rather than postponing understanding – don't let knowledge gaps compound• Create a "tangent list" for interesting but non-essential topics – balance core learning with exploration• Practice memory journaling daily – spend five minutes retrieving key points to consolidate learning• Keep your approach simple – start with one or two manageable habits rather than trying to do everything*Hosted by William Wadsworth, memory psychologist, independent researcher and study skills coach. I help ambitious students to study smarter, not harder, so they can ace their exams with less work and less stress.BOOK 1:1 COACHING to supercharge your exam success: https://examstudyexpert.com/workwithme/Get a copy of Outsmart Your Exams, my award-winning exam technique book, at https://geni.us/examsQuestions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).

14 snips
Aug 24, 2025 • 41min
[REWIND] Mastering Effective Study: Insights from John Dunlosky (Ep 154 replay)
In this engaging discussion, Professor John Dunlosky, a leading expert in cognitive and educational psychology and author of 'Study Like A Champ', shares invaluable insights on mastering effective study techniques. He emphasizes the importance of embracing challenging learning experiences. Dunlosky reveals a taxonomy of popular study strategies, such as the benefits of flashcards and dual coding. The conversation also highlights the necessity of persistence and personalized approaches in overcoming academic hurdles, ensuring students succeed in their studies.


