

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

Sep 12, 2021 • 1h 1min
66. How To Study Effectively: 6 Pillars of Student Success
New to the podcast? Start here! An overview of all the most important things I'd want you to know about studying effectively for exams:Prioritisation: "Know Where You’re Going"Mindset: "Know You Can Get There"Routine / Time Management: "Make Time For The Journey"Focus / Concentration: "Eyes On The Road When Driving"Learn Faster: With The Power Of Retrieval PracticeRemember For Longer: With Spaced Learning (Reptition)This episode is the first part in a very special 8-part audio course on "How To Study Effectively" (look out for the "H2SE" abbreviation in show titles for the rest of the series). It will be being broadcast every 2 weeks right here on the Exam Study Expert podcast.*Hosted by William Wadsworth, memory psychologist, independent researcher and study skills coach. https://examstudyexpert.comQuestions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).

Sep 5, 2021 • 32min
65. 4 Regrets / 4 Wins: What I Got Right & Wrong At Cambridge
In this episode, I share lessons from the 8 biggest "turning point" moments from my time as a student at Cambridge:The 4 things I got RIGHT in my student days (either through good planning - or good luck!) - the factors that contributed most strongly to graduating with a top degree (First Class Hons) from a notoriously tough course.The 4 things I wish I'd done differently! Knowing what I know now as a psychologist and study coach, these are the things I wish I'd done better, which could have meant a MUCH easier, less stressful and happier ride!Lessons for YOU throughout, so you don't make the same mistakes as me ;-) Enjoy!*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!).

Aug 22, 2021 • 36min
REWIND: Kendra Adachi on “Lazy Genius”-ing Student Life
Originally broadcast as Episode 27. A "Lazy Genius" Guide To Student Life with Kendra Adachi in September 2020.Rebroadcast August 2021 as part of our "Summer Rewind" season.* * *NY Times bestseller Kendra Adachi is here to talk us through how we can be a "lazy geniuses" about student life: being "genius" about what matters and "lazy" about everything else.We talk about the secrets to great foundations for life as a student, covering everything from cooking to making friends, organising your schedule, and even how to get your laundry done in record time!Kendra's bestselling book The Lazy Genius Way is available from all good book retailers worldwide - click here to get your copy on Amazon: https://geni.us/lazygenius*Hear more from Kendra on the Lazy Genius Way podcast The Lazy Genius Cleaning Routine https://www.thelazygeniuscollective.com/lazy/cleanroutineThe Lazy Genius Makes Soup https://www.thelazygeniuscollective.com/lazy/soupThe Lazy Genius Does Laundry https://www.thelazygeniuscollective.com/lazy/laundryThe Lazy Genius Puts Stuff On The Wall https://www.thelazygeniuscollective.com/lazy/wall*Hosted by William Wadsworth, Founder & Learning Scientist at Exam Study Expert“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/Or get a copy of my exam technique book today at https://geni.us/exams **As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases on suggested books. You pay nothing extra. I make these recommendations based on extensive personal experience and because I think they are genuinely helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I receive.Questions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).

Aug 8, 2021 • 44min
REWIND: Dr Adam Putnam on Mnemonics & Getting Things Done
In this episode, we’re delighted to welcome Dr Adam Putnam, who is an assistant professor at Furman University, to share his fascinating insights about:- Mnemonic techniques: widely misunderstood but can be powerful tools- Retrieval practice, and how to implement it effectively- A psychologist’s perspective on the art of focus and productivity.*Links and resources mentioned in this episode include:(These show notes also available at: https://examstudyexpert.com/adam)Adam recommended a couple of great books in this episode if you're interested in the art of working more productively, or learning more about mnemonic techniques:“Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity” by David Allen (available from Amazon https://geni.us/davidallen)“Your Memory: How it Works and How To Improve It” by Kenneth Higbee (available from Amazon https://geni.us/yourmemory) You can find Adam online at www.adamlputnam.comFor more information about first-letter mnemonics (acronyms): https://examstudyexpert.com/chunking-and-memory/#acronymsFor a quick guide to the pegword method: https://examstudyexpert.com/pegword-method/For the committed mnemonicist (yes, I'm pretty sure I made that word up) wanting to learn the major system, Wikipedia has a pretty decent overview to get you started. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mnemonic_major_systemDownload Exam Study Expert’s guide to using learning science to learn faster and remember more than ever before, at https://examstudyexpert.com/freetips*ABOUT YOUR HOST: William Wadsworth, Founder & Learning Scientist at Exam Study Expert“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/Or read my exam technique book today at https://geni.us/exams *As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases on suggested books. You pay nothing extra. I make these recommendations based on extensive personal experience and because I think they are genuinely helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I receive.Questions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).

Jul 25, 2021 • 37min
REWIND: Lucy Ratcliffe on Success Mindset
Originally broadcast as Episode 1. You CAN Do This: Mindset For Exam Success With Lucy Ratcliffe, in March 2019..Rebroadcast July 2021 as part of our "Summer Rewind" season.* * *We're delighted to welcome Lucy Ratcliffe, mindset and performance coach to elite performers, to share her incredible wisdom with us, and show how students at school, college and university how to stay positive, believe in yourself, and conquer exam nerves and anxiety. In this episode:Finding your way in life: the confidence to just go and ask for what you wantHow to find the motivation to succeed at school and in your studiesFiguring out what drives youOvercoming self-doubt and exam anxietyDialling up positivity, and growth mindsetPerforming under pressure, dealing with exam-day nervesGoing outside your comfort zone and building competenceHead to www.idology.eu to find out more about Lucy's work.*ABOUT YOUR HOST: William Wadsworth, Founder & Learning Scientist at Exam Study Expert“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/Or read my exam technique book today at https://geni.us/exams *As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases on suggested books. You pay nothing extra. I make these recommendations based on extensive personal experience and because I think they are genuinely helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I receive.Questions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).

Jul 12, 2021 • 40min
64. Best Of Exam Study Expert: 21/22 Highlights Reel
Best of the September 2020 - June 2021 season: six of the most interesting, inspirational and downright useful moments from our guest interviews this year, to help you study smarter and ace your exams!Featuring highlights from conversations with:1. Dr Erika Patall - Study MotivationWhat works and what doesn't when it comes to getting motivated to study?Full episode: #43, https://examstudyexpert.com/erika for resources and audio2. Prof. Tim Wilson - Power of MindsetWhy does mindset matter and how can you improve yours?Full episode: #42, https://examstudyexpert.com/redirect for resources and audioOr check out Prof. Wilson's book "Redirect: Changing The Stories We Live By": https://geni.us/changeyourstory*3. Prof. James Lang - Focus & DistractionsWhy is focus hard and what can you do about it?Full episode: #58, https://examstudyexpert.com/james for resources and audioRead more with James’ book: “Distracted: Why Students Can’t Focus And What You Can Do About It”, available at https://geni.us/distractedbook*4. Brian Tracy - Time Management for StudentsHow to get things done?Full episode: #39, https://examstudyexpert.com/frog for resources and audioEat That Frog For Students (Brian Tracy with Anna Leinberger) is available at https://geni.us/frog5. Dr Carolina Kuepper-Tetzel -Spaced LearningHow can the science of learning help you remember more and forget slower?Full episode: #47, https://examstudyexpert.com/carolina for resources and audioMentioned in my comments: for more on "memory journaling", see https://examstudyexpert.com/back-to-school-study-tips/6. Dr Veronica Yan - Interleaving For Success in Maths & MoreWhat is interleaving and why is it such a powerful way to practice problems?Full episode: #49, see https://examstudyexpert.com/veronica for resources and audio* * *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.1:1 Coaching to supercharge your exam success: https://examstudyexpert.com/workwithme/Download my free "study smarter" cheat sheet at https://examstudyexpert.com/freetipsExam Study Expert Blog: https://examstudyexpert.com/blog/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 purchasesQuestions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).

Jun 20, 2021 • 22min
63. Study Hacks: 21 Non-Obvious Tricks To Save Time & Achieve More
Increase your productivity and efficiency, learn faster, and ace your exams with the help of these cunning and non-obvious tricks and shortcuts!Now, that's clever!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/examsSupercharge your learning with my free cheat sheet: https://examstudyexpert.com/freetips*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!).

Jun 13, 2021 • 27min
62. Group Work: The REAL Secrets of Success with Prof. Mark de Rond
The art of teamwork, and how to ace group assignments at school and university:How to pick the right people: do you go for the most skilled teammates or the ones you get on with best?The questions to ask yourselves to establish a high-functioning group culture from the outsetWhat to do if someone isn’t pulling their weightHow to make the right decisions as a teamHandling courageous conversations and resolving conflictWith Professor Mark de Rond, whose fascinating research has seen him study high performers in often extreme environments, as you’ll hear, from elite rowers to peace activists to trauma surgeons in a war zone. His work has been featured widely by some of the world’s most prominent media organisations including the BBC, The Economist, The Huffington Post, Wall Street Journal, The Times in the UK, The Los Angeles Times, Der Spiegel and Forbes Magazine. He has a wonderful gift for teaching people to get big results for themselves in their own lives and careers, which is why he is in hot demand in running executive education for leaders at companies such as McKinsey, PWC, Rolls Royce, Shell and UNICEF. Further reading by Mark de Rond:The Last Amateurs: a gripping window on team dynamics in elite sport (18+ due to language): https://geni.us/lastamateurs* There Is An I In Team: https://geni.us/iinteam**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 and let me help you find the shortcut to success in your exams this year: https://examstudyexpert.com/workwithme/[free] Download the Exam Success Cheat Sheet at https://examstudyexpert.com/freetips*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchasesPodcast Edited by Benoît André.Questions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).

Jun 6, 2021 • 21min
61. Test Taking Mastery: 22 Tips To Maximise Your Mark
Get the companion book to today's episode: "Outsmart Your Exams" at https://geni.us/exams!In today's episode, I'll be sharing 22 "top tips" taken from the book, including:- How to master your mindset- Keys to written answers to get top scores- How to create an exam gameplan for success- Memory recall secrets to guarantee great resultsNo more “couldn’t remember”.No more “ran out of time”.No more botched exam essays.The results envelope of your dreams could be in your hand.* * *Outsmart Your Exams is now available in paperback: https://geni.us/exams*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.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!).

May 30, 2021 • 33min
60. Maximum Concentration: "Attention Professor" Stefan Van der Stigchel
How to concentrate on your studies?I’m going to be talking to one of the world’s leading authorities on how to manage your attention, and focus on what really matters to you, Professor Stefan van der Stigchel.We’ll be walking through an entire day of concentration to show you step-by-step what you can do to help maximise your focus, including:“Attention rituals” – learning from Darwin and BeethovenHow to take effective breaksDesigning your environment for maximum concentrationIs it OK to listen to music?Stefan leads the AttentionLab at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, and is a regular face on national television and radio in the Netherlands, as well as speaking on prestigious conference stages around the world.You can find out more about Stefan’s work at his personal website: https://www.stefanvanderstigchel.nl/ For a highly practical guide to maximising concentration, I highly recommend his book “Concentration: Staying Focused in Times Of Distraction”, available at https://geni.us/concentration*“How Attention Works”, a guide to the psychology of attention, is available at https://geni.us/attention** * *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 and let me help you find the shortcut to success in your exams this year: https://examstudyexpert.com/workwithme/[free] Download the Exam Success Cheat Sheet at https://examstudyexpert.com/freetips*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchasesPodcast Edited by Benoît André.Questions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).


