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PODCAST

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

education courses

All Episodes

16:36

Declutter Your Study Life

Exam Study Expert: ace your exams with the science of... ·

2026/09/13

A new school year, university term or exam season is a great opportunity for a fresh start — and that doesn’t just mean buying new stationery. In this episode, we’re doing a spring clean for your study world: clearing out the physical and digital clutter that can contribute to distraction, overwhelm and mental jumble. See also: Ep 198. Stitch In Time - Small Habits for Academic Success https://www.buzzsprout.com/267857/episodes/17802525 Smartphone Spring Clean - 10 Tips To Tame The Tech In...

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12:02

226. "Remember, Its Only An Exam": Keeping Your Cool...

Exam Study Expert: ace your exams with the science of... ·

2026/05/24

Today I'm share five powerful mental reframes that reduce exam stress and help you perform when pressure is high. We zoom out from perfectionism, comparison, and frustration with the system, so you can revise with focus and walk into the exam room calmer and more in control. Questions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).

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44:36

225. High Stakes, High Stress? Keep it Cool with...

Exam Study Expert: ace your exams with the science of... ·

2026/05/10

Today, in the lead-up to exam season, we’re diving right into how to perform well in high-stakes, high-pressure situations with expert Dr Brian Hite. And who better to ask about high stakes than a stuntman, former army resilience trainer, sports psychologist and coach who specialises in performance under pressure. Dr Brain tackles exam pressure and tough questions, the 4 important stages of a high-stakes performance, and real-time tools you can use to stay calm: all interspersed with re...

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12:11

224. "The Easy Button" For Exam Season Success

Exam Study Expert: ace your exams with the science of... ·

2026/05/06

Got a lot on your plate at the moment? Today we're helping you thrive in a demanding exam season with the help of "the easy button": specific moves you can make to take some of the pressure off in the short-term and free up a little extra time and brainspace to focus on your studies. Take a listen, and let us know in the comments where YOU'LL be pressing that easy button in future! Get a copy of Outsmart Your Exams, my award-winning exam technique book, at https://geni.us/exams* * Hosted ...

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45:11

223. Perfectionism, Self-Compassion and Making...

Exam Study Expert: ace your exams with the science of... ·

2026/04/26

Perfectionism can feel like ambition for many students, but it often fuels anxiety, procrastination, and a harsh inner critic that makes studying harder than it needs to be. We’re joined today by Harvard-trained clinical psychologist, author and perfectionism expert Dr Tara Cousineau, to unpack the psychology and triggers of perfectionism. Dr Tara shares practical skills everyone can employ for putting self-compassion before self-criticism, and learning how to strive for excellence whil...

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7:04

222. Eating Your Frogs In The Final Weeks Before An Exam

Exam Study Expert: ace your exams with the science of... ·

2026/04/19

Today, I'm sharing one question that cuts through revision stress and helps you decide what to study next: what kind of learning feels most difficult right now? Tune in to find out why mental resistance is a signal to prioritise that work and how you can, rather than leave it to one side, actually lean into it and do more of the practice that matters most. * Hosted by William Wadsworth, memory psychologist, independent researcher and study skills coach. I help ambitious students to s...

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51:38

221. Your Emotional Toolkit for Academic Stress -...

Exam Study Expert: ace your exams with the science of... ·

2026/03/22

Many of the students and scholars I speak to struggle with stress, anxiety and overwhelming emotions: about exams, assignments, academic pressure or feeling behind. So today we're chatting with Dr Jennifer Veilleux, clinical therapist and Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Arkansas. Dr Jenn explains all her key practical strategies, rooted in scientific research, that can make up an effective emotional toolkit for students. We explore how acknowledging, understa...

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13:59

220. Study Motivation and the U Shaped Curve

Exam Study Expert: ace your exams with the science of... ·

2026/03/15

Everything's a u shaped curve: don't work too hard, but not too little either, for best results. Explore how understanding this "sweet spot" principle can help you find the balance in your study routine, as well as get the right balance in other areas of your study strategy too, such as how many spaced repetitions are optimal for you, or the right mix of different study methods for your needs. * Hosted by William Wadsworth, memory psychologist, independent researcher and study skills...

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28:17

219. Scoring Top 1% In The State: "Student Story"...

Exam Study Expert: ace your exams with the science of... ·

2026/03/09

Unlock the secrets behind how a top student in Australia crushed his finals and secured a top 1% score in his state — and learn exactly how you can apply his disciplined strategies to your own exams. Harry's journey proves that success isn’t just about talent; it's about precision, routine, and metacognitive awareness. We break down: - The role of consistent daily habits in high-stakes exams - How to use spaced retrieval practice effectively - How to track exam practice and "vibe" Tune in t...

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9:02

218. Hare And Tortoise: The Magic In Consistency

Exam Study Expert: ace your exams with the science of... ·

2026/03/01

Small can be mighty when it comes to setting the right study goals, especially at first! Learn why consistency is queen, and how a "do-able come rain or shine" study routine is the key to building and maintaining momentum in your learning, and maximising your progress in the long-run. * 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 str...

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47:13

217. 8 Reasons Why Learning Fails (and How to Fix...

Exam Study Expert: ace your exams with the science of... ·

2026/02/22

What if the fastest way to learn better is to understand why and where learning breaks down? In this episode, I’m joined by leading UK educator and author Alex Quigley to unpack his eight predictable failure points that derail studying — and the practical, research-backed strategies that fix them. Failure is normal. Success comes from recognising the signals early and responding with the right tools: retrieval practice, spaced learning, improved planning and evaluation, and metacognitive refl...

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46:18

216. Transforming Schools with Learning Science:...

Exam Study Expert: ace your exams with the science of... ·

2026/02/15

What if improving results across an entire school came down to a handful of simple learning habits, done well, every day? In this episode we sit down with two headteachers from top-performing UK schools – Andy Green (Copleston High School) and Peter Lee (Q3 Academy Langley) – to discover how the science of learning effectively has influenced their leadership, teaching approaches, and the learning experiences of their students when put into practice across an entire school community. We ...

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37:33

215. Metacognition Toolkit: Ace Your Learning – with...

Exam Study Expert: ace your exams with the science of... ·

2026/02/08

What is metacognition? And how can you use it to plan smarter, reflect on exams and evaluate your daily learning with clarity? We’re joined by Nathan Burns, aka Mr Metacognition, to explore his favourite stackable metacognitive learning strategies that will have you reflecting on and improving your studying at home and in the classroom – from this moment, right through exam season and beyond. Discover how to think metacognitively about: answering questions carefullypre-exam season revis...

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9:11

214. Respect The Exam

Exam Study Expert: ace your exams with the science of... ·

2026/02/01

Join William for a quick pep talk on showing due respect to the exam you're sitting, with surprising benefits for your motivation, enjoyment of the study process and even your end result. * 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/...

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31:07

213. How to Conquer Distraction (Quick Digital Detox...

Exam Study Expert: ace your exams with the science of... ·

2026/01/25

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 ca...

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12:31

212. A Smarter Study Break For Focus And Flow

Exam Study Expert: ace your exams with the science of... ·

2026/01/18

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. ...

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1:07

Welcome To The Exam Study Expert Podcast (trailer for...

Exam Study Expert: ace your exams with the science of... ·

2026/01/18

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!).

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60:50

211. Neuroscience Secrets For Better Focus, Memory...

Exam Study Expert: ace your exams with the science of... ·

2026/01/11

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 boast...

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11:03

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

Exam Study Expert: ace your exams with the science of... ·

2026/01/04

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...

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59:47

209. Who Are You, Really? On Personality and...

Exam Study Expert: ace your exams with the science of... ·

2025/12/14

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 h...

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235 results

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