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

William Wadsworth
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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!

  1. 213. How to Conquer Distraction (Quick Digital Detox Wins): with Colin Corby

    5D AGO

    213. How to Conquer Distraction (Quick Digital Detox Wins): with Colin Corby

    In this episode, learn how to conquer distraction and build a healthier relationship with technology using quick wins for a digital detox. Our guest is digital detox expert, technologist and TEDx speaker Colin Corby. We explore how constant digital distractions affect attention span, deep learning, reading comprehension, critical thinking, sleep, and productivity — especially for students. Colin shares practical, realistic digital detox strategies, quick wins and fun micro-challenges you can apply immediately to areas including environments, routines and social accountability. Your post-listening task: share your own digital detox intentions in comments below for that accountability, our best encouragement and support. ** About today’s guest, Colin Corby: • Discover more resources on his website: https://thedigitaldetoxcoach.com/ ** 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 * ** 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!).

    31 min

  2. JAN 18

    212. A Smarter Study Break For Focus And Flow

    In today’s mini episode we’re taking a look at the surprisingly helpful question of what you do on your study breaks. Choosing the right break activities can help you return to work on time, ready to go again, perhaps with some fresh insights and certainly some fresh energy. The wrong break activity can suck you into a spiral of procrastination that turns a 10 minute breather into 50 minutes of doom scrolling. Choose a smarter break with the 10 ideas we share today for a smarter study break. Questions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).

    13 min

  3. JAN 18

    Welcome To The Exam Study Expert Podcast (trailer for new listeners)

    A short trailer episode for new listeners to get a taste of the show. Questions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).

    1 min
  4. 211. Neuroscience Secrets: Attention, Focus and Memory with Dr Sarah McKay

    JAN 11

    211. Neuroscience Secrets: Attention, Focus and Memory with Dr Sarah McKay

    To kick off the new year we’re sitting down with neuroscientist, international speaker and author Dr Sarah McKay to translate decades of neuroscience research into straightforward tactics students can use today for better sleep, enhanced focus and improved grades. Dr Sarah McKay has a distinguished career as one of Australia's best known science communicators. She's passionate about translating brain science into practical strategies to improve health, well-being, and performance. Sarah boasts a PhD in neuroscience from Oxford University, has presented on ABC Catalyst (the only science show on primetime TV in Australia), authored several books on brain health, given a fascinating TEDx talk on napping, and is regularly quoted in media around the world. So we’re in expert hands for this jam-packed episode, where Sarah and I dig into everything from nutrition to naps, and digital distractions to self-reflection. We map out: • a simple brain model: bottom up, outside in and top down • the 7 basics that affect your brain health: food, movement, sleep, light, phones, socialising and attention • how food impacts the sweet spot for learning: alert but calm  • why sleep hygiene is so important for your brain health • how strategic naps help you to reset and focus • why phones are attention magnets and how to contain them • how to contain your phone to boost your attention and working memory • brain-healthy learning models with spaced repetition and retrieval practice  • the impact of metacognition with quick & kind “vibe” reflections after mock exams • rehearsing emotional regulation for tough exam moments Find out more about today’s guest, Dr Sarah McKay: • Discover more resources on her website: https://drsarahmckay.com/ • Find Sarah’s TEDx Talk, “Indulge your neurobiology” here: https://youtu.be/xiXZVDKRe00?si=a-8ggcZK8wewmX-q • Grab a copy of her book Brain Health For Dummies at https://geni.us/drsarahmckay * ** 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. • Support the podcast by joining our patrons at: https://www.examstudyexpert.com/patreon     • 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 *  **  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!).

    1h 1m

  5. JAN 4

    210. Fresh Start Habits For Smarter Study: Every Day, Every Week

    Today, we're turning good intentions and a long list of things you need to do or should do or would like to do into consistent action! Key ideas today include: • fresh start effect as useful motivation • split goals into one-off and ongoing tasks • schedule one-off tasks in the diary • design daily habits with clear what, when, and why • use weekly blocks for deep, flow-based work • set seasonal habits around exams or deadlines • share your habit plan for accountability • simple homework to lock in your cadence Your homework: take a second to drop your intention in the comments: what are you going to do, is it every day or every week, for how long, at what time, and what's your why for it? * 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!).

    11 min
  6. 209. Who Are You Really? On Personality and Flourishing with Professor Brian Little

    12/14/2025

    209. Who Are You Really? On Personality and Flourishing with Professor Brian Little

    In this final very special episode to round out 2025, we welcome world-renowned personality expert Professor Brian Little to help us answer the question: who are you really? As one of the great scholars of our time in the field of personality psychology, Professor Little's wonderfully engaging teaching style has also won him “favourite teacher” accolades at Harvard and found him described as a cross between seeing Robin Williams and Einstein on stage.  Professor Little helps us explore how your personality traits, character and goals interact to shape your learning, engagement, memory, attention and ability to flourish. We connect the Big Five personality traits with study strategies, teaching craft, and the real costs and benefits of acting out of character. With plenty of concrete examples to help you approach life in personal projects in a way that suits who you are. Plus a whole segment especially for educators looking for novel ways to engage every student, especially those who are struggling. ** Find out more about today’s guest, Professor Brian Little: • Discover more resources on his website: https://www.brianrlittle.com/ • Find Brian’s TED Talk: “Who are you, really? The puzzle of personality” here: https://youtu.be/qYvXk_bqlBk?si=QAWWBgh1HT0yDqtV • And his talk for TEDxOxbridge here: https://youtu.be/NZ5o9PcHeL0?si=MPZRzgPDoZM1B84K • Dive into Professor Brian Little’s bestselling book, Me, Myself, and Us: The Science of Personality and the Art of Well-Being right here: https://geni.us/memyselfus * • Or find yourself in his second book, Who Are You, Really? The Surprising Puzzle of Personality  here: https://geni.us/whoareyoureallylittle * ** 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 *  **  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!).

    1 hr

  7. 12/10/2025

    208. Prioritise And Save Time When Studying

    Discover the three core ways to prioritise better in your studying, to get through what you need to do in much less time with as little impact as possible on the quality of your output. * 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!).

    12 min
  8. 207. 6 Tricks to Build Confidence That Sticks - with Scott Hardiman

    11/30/2025

    207. 6 Tricks to Build Confidence That Sticks - with Scott Hardiman

    We’re joined today by Scott Hardiman, a confidence coach who specialises in helping people rebuild their confidence and get their drive back. Scott shares his own relatable and inspiring student story, from bullying and anxiety to finding his confidence mindset.  Plus his top six tricks – easy daily practices, micro-experiments that everyone can try – to build up your own confidence and face any high-stress situation:  • the impact of taking action  • using your “stretch zone”  • physiology and posture  • keeping an evidence bank of confidence-boosters  • the importance of keeping your promises  • and the power of self-awareness ** Find out more about today’s guest, Scott Hardiman: • Discover more resources on his website: https://further-coaching.com/ ** Recommendations from today’s episode: • The Brain by David Eagleman: https://geni.us/thebrain * • Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins: https://geni.us/giantwithin * • Virginia Valian’s essay “Learning to Work” from Working It Out: 23 Women Writers, Artists, Scientists, and Scholars Talk About Their Lives and Work. (Pantheon, 1977): https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5b3a3c2596e76feeba40905e/t/5b46366570a6add65490e050/1531328102222/1977workingItOut.pdf ** 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 *  **  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!).

    37 min
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4.8
out of 5
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About

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!

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