

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

Oct 29, 2023 • 19min
125. Deep Rest for Scholars - with Camilla Walker
Earlier this year, Ruth Poundwhite (Ep. 97) talked about the "discomfort in resting" that so many high-achievers share.I had a number of messages saying this really struck a chord, I want to pick up on that thread today, with help of special guest Camilla Walker.We'll be exploring why getting real rest can be so challenging, why it's so necessary, and introducing you to a practice that's specially designed to help, called "deep rest".Links and resources from this episode:>> To experience a mini deep rest "taster" session, visit: https://examstudyexpert.com/rest>> Come as my guest to a full-length private deep rest session, especially for scholars, an exclusive bonus for students of The Scholars Way. Enrol now at: https://examstudyexpert.com/scholars-way/Find Camilla Walker online at https://www.deeplybeing.com/, and @CamillaWalker_being*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!).

Oct 22, 2023 • 37min
124. PhD Student Stories: Celebrating The Joys & Surviving The Tough Bits
Join Exam Study Expert's very own Drs Alix Hibble and Kerri Edinburgh for a candid look at the ups and downs of the PhD experience.You'll learn top tips with the benefit of hindsight on mindset, time management, goal-setting and more.Plus, why research is awesome!As mentioned in this episode:The Scholar's Way: our signature mindset programme for students and scholars of all kinds: https://examstudyexpert.com/tswKerri's article on imposter syndrome: https://examstudyexpert.com/imposter-syndrome/* * *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.Want to talk to us about getting our coaching support in the run-up to YOUR exams? We're here to help! Find out more at:>> https://examstudyexpert.com/coachingOr to explore our full range of self-study programmes, resources, books, and speaking / workshop services for schools, check out our full catalogue at:>> https://examstudyexpert.com/everythingQuestions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).

Oct 15, 2023 • 25min
123. How Many Hours Should You Study A Day?
Today, we're diving into our "most often asked questions" list, and tackling the perennial question of how many hours should you be studying for each day.The answer is "it depends" (oh, come on, you knew I'd say that!), but in this episode, I don't duck the question, join me as I break down:The 5 key things that it depends ON, so you can make the right call in your circumstancesThe main guiding principle for deciding a sensible study-hours goalAnd my perspective on different specific hours targets, and the circumstances under which I'd consider each a sensible target (yes, there are some actual specific NUMBERS here!)References:- Nonis & Hudson, 2006- Krohn & O'Connor, 2010- Revision Census https://examstudyexpert.com/Student-Revision-Data/*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.Want to talk to us about getting our coaching support in the run-up to YOUR exams? We're here to help! Find out more at:>> https://examstudyexpert.com/coachingOr to explore our full range of self-study programmes, resources, books, and speaking / workshop services for schools, check out our full catalogue at:>> https://examstudyexpert.com/everythingQuestions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).

Oct 8, 2023 • 20min
122. Four Tricks Your Mind Plays (+ How To Avoid Them)
Today, I'm diving into four tricks your mind might play on you which cause you to lose time or feel frustrated in your studies, and what you can do about them.There's some of my favourite psychology in here, classic judgement & decision making theory as applied to the world of studying and scholarship - let's dive in!Featured today: The Scholars Way, our new signature 3-day mindset course for students and scholars. Learn more and get access at:>> https://examstudyexpert.com/TSW* * * *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. Want to talk to us about getting our coaching support in the run-up to YOUR exams? We're here to help! Find out more at:>> https://examstudyexpert.com/coachingOr to explore our full range of self-study programmes, resources, books, and speaking / workshop services for schools, check out our full catalogue at:>> https://examstudyexpert.com/everythingQuestions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).

Oct 1, 2023 • 29min
121. Managing Your Time At The Final Hurdle - Sowmya's Student Story
Today, we're talking to Sowmya, a law student who's facing 12 exams ... in just four weeks time! Join us as we discuss:The impact of anxietyAvoiding procrastinationHow to find the drive to study by focusing on your goalsEffective methods for managing your time in the final lead-up to examsAnd the best revision methods for covering a LOT of material in a short space of timeWant to talk to us about getting our coaching support in the run-up to YOUR exams? We're here to help! Find out more at:>> https://examstudyexpert.com/coaching Or to explore our full range of self-study programmes, resources, books, and speaking / workshop services for schools, check out our full catalogue at:>> https://examstudyexpert.com/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. Podcast edited by Kerri Edinburgh.Questions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).

Sep 24, 2023 • 15min
120. Trends In Education Research & Takeaways For Students
Exam Study Expert's very own Dr Alix Hibble was at one of the world's major education research conferences last week. In today's episode, she shares her top 5 trends in education research in 2023, and takeaways for students. Tune in to learn more about:The danger of a bad label or identity at school or in your studies and what to do about itNurturing engagement in your studies and growth mindsetGetting the most out of virtual learningGetting the most out of AI tools like ChatGPT (without "cheating"!)And what the research says about different forms of in-class / in-lecture participation, and tips to increase yoursMentioned in today's episode: our own data on student study habits which we've shared some of at https://examstudyexpert.com/Student-Revision-Data.*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 17, 2023 • 24min
119. Effective Learning: There Are (Only) THREE Good Methods
Over the years, my take on effective learning strategies has got clearer and simpler: I think there are only THREE effective approaches to learning.Everything else is just variations on one of those 3 themes.I reveal all in today's episode!For more on the science of memory and effective learning strategy, check out our signature course Total Memory Mastery at:>> https://examstudyexpert.com/MemoryOR get access to Total Memory Mastery as part of a Study Smarter Network membership:>> https://examstudyexpert.com/Network*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/coachingQuestions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).

Sep 12, 2023 • 35min
118. Personal Development for Scholars - with Alan Donegan
Entrepreneur and founder of Rebel Business School, Alan Donegan, discusses the importance of personal development and its impact on effectiveness, productivity, managing money, and finding happiness. They emphasize self-awareness, identifying personal values, and investing in self-development. The chapter also highlights the benefits of paid courses, setting goals, building identity to excel in exams. Lastly, they encourage listeners to put in effort and energy to achieve their goals and create an extraordinary life.

Sep 4, 2023 • 39min
117. Fall in Love With Language Learning - with Kerstin Cable
We're talking language learning for skills, profit and above all FUN with Kerstin Cable of fluentlanguage.co.uk. Discover:Kerstin's top reasons to learn languages (it certainly got ME inspired to dive back into my French learning!)How to bridge the "motivation valley" after the honeymoon periodFinding what works best for YOU as a language learnerAnd much more!In many ways, this episode represents a case study on applying many recent themes from the podcast in practice - listen out for process vs outcome goals, theory on drive and motivation, and even "metacognition", or building awareness of what's working for you in your learning.Check out Kerstin's full range of courses and resources at:>> https://examstudyexpert.com/fluent*(Exam Study Expert may earn a small referral fee on qualifying purchases with Kerstin at no extra cost to you via this link)*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!).

Jul 9, 2023 • 14min
116. Kindness for Scholars
The world is a better place when we all make that little extra effort to be kind to each other.Here are some of my top tips for being kind to your fellow scholars when it comes to studying for and taking exams.Let's spread a little kindness today: why not share this podcast with a friend!*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!).