Exam Study Expert: ace your exams with the science of learning

We're hurtling towards the end of the year, so I've dug into the listener mailbag to answer some of YOUR frequently asked questions about how to study! 0.50: Tricks for getting "unstuck" by zooming out and zooming in2.55: Problems sleeping6.40: How to take better notes9.55: The power of "pre-testing" yourself, and how to do it12.50: What to do the day before an examHosted 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 Get a copy of Matthew Walker's international bestseller "Why We Sleep" at https://geni.us/scienceofsleep*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!).

Join legendary chemist Dr Peter Wothers MBE to discover the magical, explosive world of chemistry!Why study chemistryApplying for chemistry at university levelThe gap between (high) school level science and university levelHow to succeed when studying chemistry* * * * * * *Special offer for Exam Study Expert podcast listeners: for expert preparation + mock interviews to maximise your chances of getting an offer to study science at British Universities (including tailored options for Oxbridge prep), contact UniAdmissions.co.uk.Mention to the team that you're an Exam Study Expert podcast listener, and receive an additional free mock interview in your preparation programme, absolutely free!* * * * * * *Dr Wothers is Teaching Fellow in the Department of Chemistry, and is something of a campus legend thanks to his passion for the subject and incredible flair while lecturing. He's been featured on TV, including the Discovery Channel's The Big Experiment and the BBC's Royal Institution Christmas Lectures, which are available on-demand here: https://www.rigb.org/christmas-lectures/watch/2012/the-modern-alchemist (aimed at a young audience, but worth clicking to enjoy the first 40 seconds alone in my opinion - fantastic!!)He has also authored a number of books, including:Why Chemical Reactions Happen - a great read for (high) school students considering studying chemistry, brilliant interview prep. Available at: https://geni.us/reactionsAntimony, Gold and Jupiter's Wolf, a fascinating read for a general audience, all about how the elements got their names. Available at https://geni.us/antimony Organic Chemistry - (first edition) - THE go-to undergrad textbook for organic chemistry (Dr W did the 1st edition - the 2nd edition which he was less involved in available at https://geni.us/organicchemistry *As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases on suggested books at no extra cost to you. I only recommend awesome stuff.Questions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).

So, you want to be a doctor?Dr Rohan Agarwal from uniadmissions.co.uk talks us through what it takes to land an offer to study medicine in the UK.If you're interested in applying for med school, the team at uniadmissions.co.uk have an impressive track record in supporting candidates in landing their offers - and if you mention you're an Exam Study Expert podcast listener when you apply, they'll even offer you an extra free mock interview. Visit uniadmissions.co.uk to book a consultation and get the ball rolling.* * * *Recommended reading:The Ultimate Medical School Application Guide: available at https://geni.us/medschoolapplicationThe Ultimate Medical School Interview Guide: available at https://geni.us/medschoolinterviewOther links and resources:For details of online work experience: https://www.rcgp.org.uk/training-exams/discover-general-practice/observe-gp.aspxFor sample medical school interview questions: https://www.uniadmissions.co.uk/medical-school-interview-questions/* * * *Hosted by William Wadsworth, Founder & Learning Scientist at Exam Study ExpertDownload my free exam success cheat sheet at 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!).

Mark de Rond is a Professor at the Judge Business School in Cambridge. He's perhaps best known for his unique and fascinating approach to research on teamwork and high performance, which has seen him living alongside elite rowers, walking with peace activists, and even living among trauma doctors working in a war zone (Afghanistan).He joins us today to share his insights on:Studying business at undergraduate levelStudying for an MBAWhat business schools look for in their applicantsWhat to expect and how to succeed in your business school experience.Mark is the author of:The Last Amateurs, which tells the story of the enormous lengths elite rowers go to fulfil their sporting dreams, available worldwide from Amazon at: https://geni.us/lastamateursThere Is An I In Team, what elite athletes and coaches really know about high performance, available worldwide from Amazon at: https://geni.us/iinteamDoctors At War, a candid account of a trauma surgical team based at a field hospital in Helmand, Afghanistan. Available worldwide from Amazon at: https://geni.us/doctors* * * *Hosted by William Wadsworth, Founder & Learning Scientist at Exam Study ExpertDownload my free "study smarter" cheat sheet at https://examstudyexpert.com/freetipsMemory 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.Discover 1:1 study coaching with me to supercharge your productivity and maximise your exam success this year: https://examstudyexpert.com/workwithme/*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases on suggested books at no extra cost to you. I only recommend awesome stuff.Questions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).

"You weren't born to fit in: you were born to stand out".Discover how to land that coveted internship or grad programme with ace career coach, Sonal Bahl.The mistakes that will get your CV rejected (and how to avoid them)The "C.P.R." formula for interview prepA "Jedi mind trick" to play on your interviewerThe thing 95% of people don’t do that will help you stand outFind more from Sonal at:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonalbahl/ YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuY0tWGuwCI8SI9FFk60zPg? https://www.superchargeyourself.com/ How I Got Hired Podcast: https://howigothired.buzzsprout.com/Questions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).

What does it take to get accepted to the course of your dreams?This week, it's all about acing the interview!I'm talking mainly about applying for university and college, but the strategies also work really well in interviews for competitive schools or postgraduate programmes.I'm sharing my "Four Ps" of interview technique - of which two are pretty advanced strategies you're unlikely to find anywhere else. Together, they'll help you shine on interview day, and give you the best possible chance of success!If you'd like to experience a full-length mock interview and get some advanced coaching on YOUR interview technique, visit www.ExamStudyExpert.com/mock to book a slot.Questions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).

There's growing scientific evidence that meditation, especially mindfulness training, can have a profoundly positive impact on a mind-bogglingly wide range of aspects of our performance as students.Soothing stress or anxiety. Helping you sleep. Sharpening focus and concentration. Supporting good mental and physical health. Even helping you learn faster and remember more.Tune in to find out more, and discover how you could get started today, with help from today's special guest, Claire Kelly, from the not-for-profit organisation, the Mindfulness In Schools Project (https://mindfulnessinschools.org/).Resources mentioned in this episode:The "Mindfulness In Schools Project" exercises on YouTube: Beditation  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5ut2NYdAEQ), Playing For Attention (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgXZW6Xqokw) IBMe (https://ibme.com/) Headspace (https://www.headspace.com/) Calm (https://www.calm.com/) Smiling Mind (https://www.smilingmind.com.au/smiling-mind-app) For more science-backed ideas for calming nerves as exams approach (and on exam day itself), check out my test-conquering, mark-maximising exam-technique book: Outsmart Your Exams,  https://geni.us/exams.For 1:1 exam success coaching, please visit https://examstudyexpert.com/coaching.Questions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).

This episode is all about how to take your study hours to the MAX, while keeping enough balance in your life to avoid overwork, exhaustion and stress.For the first time, I'm sharing the EXACT study routine I used to graduate in the top 10% of my class on a competitive course at Cambridge University.As a student psychologist, I was already applying the science of the brain to work harder and smarter. In this episode, I'll break down:How I was managing my time: hour by hour, and life-hacks I was using to clear as much time for studying as possibleHow I was managing my attention: staying hyperfocused and "in the zone" for long stretches of timeHow I was managing my energy: so I had enough fuel in the tank to keep the pace up, not just for a few days, but for weeks on endBut even more, I use the benefit of hindsight, and all I've learned since, to look back and pick apart all the things I WASN'T doing so well, so you can learn from my mistakes.For personalised help with YOUR study routine, visit https://ExamStudyExpert.com/coachingQuestions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).

Chris Bailey - "the most productive man you could hope to meet" according to TED - joins us today to help you get focused, get productive, and get your work DONE!Learn how to manage your time, energy and attention so that you can breeze through your study to-do list in record time, freeing up more of your time for the things you want to spend it on.Chris is the international bestselling author of two excellent books:- The Productivity Project: Proven Ways To Become More Awesome (Get your copy at https://geni.us/productivityproject)- Hyperfocus: How To Manage Your Attention In A World Of Distraction (Get your copy at https://geni.us/gethyperfocus)Both come with my HIGHEST recommendations, and feature on my list of all-time best books about studying and learning.Chris writes about productivity on his blog, ALifeOfProductivity.com, and hosts the Becoming Better Podcast, alifeofproductivity.com/becomingbetter.* * * *Hosted by William Wadsworth, Founder & Learning Scientist at Exam Study ExpertDownload my free "study smarter" cheat sheet at https://examstudyexpert.com/freetipsMemory 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.Discover 1:1 study coaching with me to supercharge your productivity and maximise your exam success this year: https://examstudyexpert.com/workwithme/*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!).

There's some incredible wisdom to be found on my bookshelf. Today, I pick out some of the BEST tips and tricks to be found in five of my most-loved books about studying and learning, so you can incorporate the advice into your study routine right away, all without having to do any reading!These "top five" books are shortlisted from the 21 favourite books about studying and learning I keep on a special bookshelf behind my desk. Browse the full list here  https://examstudyexpert.com/books-and-guides/books-about-studying-and-learning/If you want to go deeper, you can pick up any of today's five books (links will take you to your local Amazon store):- Make It Stick  | https://geni.us/getmakeitstick- Understanding How We Learn  | https://geni.us/understandinglearning- Redirect  | https://geni.us/changeyourstory- Switch  | https://geni.us/getswitch- The Productivity Project  | https://geni.us/productivityprojectHosted by William Wadsworth, Founder & Learning Scientist at Exam Study ExpertMemory 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 my exam technique book today 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!).