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

William Wadsworth
198 episodes   Last Updated: Jun 29, 25

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

A simple daily practice to have happier, more productive days: gratitude journalling for students.*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*Today's references:Jeliseh, M.T., Valizadeh, M., Zohrabi, M. and Xodabande, I. (2025), Enhancing Language Teachers' Well-Being Through Positive Psychology Interventions: A Mixed-Methods Study Focusing on Gratitude Journaling. Psychology in the Schools. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.70005Tolcher, K., Cauble, M., & Downs, A. (2022). Evaluating the effects of gratitude interventions on college student well-being. Journal of American College Health, 72(5), 1321–1325. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2022.2076096Redwine LS, Henry BL, Pung MA, Wilson K, Chinh K, Knight B, Jain S, Rutledge T, Greenberg B, Maisel A, Mills PJ. Pilot Randomized Study of a Gratitude Journaling Intervention on Heart Rate Variability and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Patients With Stage B Heart Failure. Psychosom Med. 2016 Jul-Aug;78(6):667-76. doi: 10.1097/PSY.0000000000000316. PMID: 27187845; PMCID: PMC4927423.**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!).
Happiness isn't just about feeling good – it's about living in alignment with your values and purpose while managing inevitable stress more effectively.• Stress is the primary barrier to happiness, hijacking your brain and making good decisions difficult• Toning your vagus nerve through humming, breath work, movement, connection and nature helps reset your nervous system• Self-care doesn't just take time – it expands time by improving decision-making and clarity• Colour-code tasks as red (urgent), yellow (needs attention), green (ongoing) or grey (time-wasters) to manage overwhelm• Create space between receiving feedback and responding to avoid reactive decisions• When confused or uncertain, ask for clarification rather than guessing• Focus on enjoying the learning process rather than fixating solely on gradesVisit expandyourhappy.com to learn more about Dr. Heather Frederick's work and resources.Heather's podcast is at https://happydocstudent.com/Her 5.0-star rated book is at https://geni.us/happy-student**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.Podcast edited by Kerri EdinburghQuestions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).
Discover the power of clear purpose and a compelling vision with today's guests, Ian Chamandy and Steve Gamlin.*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!).
The psychological principle of "Cognitive Load Theory" has considerable power to understand how our brain thinks. There are some fascinating and powerful applications when you're taking exams to help your brain thinking smoother and faster.Discover five of my favourite exam-hall tips and tricks to help your brain work faster, make fewer mistakes, and score more marks when it matters most.For more, check out Outsmart Your Exams:>> 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.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!).
Join the University of Oxford's Lecturer in Study Skills Dr Alix Hibble for a next-level masterclass on the academic writing process.Discover how you can save considerable time AND produce significantly better end results with a better strategy for reading, researching, outlining and writing your essays and dissertations.A must-listen for anyone with any kind of writing to do as part of their academic journey. Enquire about academic writing coaching with Dr Alix at:>> https://examstudyexpert.com/academic-writing-coaching/*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!).
Learn how to overcome procrastination when working on large academic projects with today's guest, Dr Alison Miller.https://www.theacademicwritersspace.com/*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.Podcast edited by Kerri Edinburgh.Questions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).
Meditation has some fantastic benefits for scholars, including:- Wellness benefits: managing stress, nerves, anxiety and more- Productivity benefits: boosting focus and increasing your output each dayBut it's not always easy to fit into our busy lives. Our guest today shares a wealth of ingenious tips and tricks for integrating mindful moments to give you a boost throughout your day and at key moments like waiting outside an exam or hitting a challenging question in your studies.- Read the book "Meditation for The Real World" by Ann Swanson: https://geni.us/qDZ7IZk*- Get started meditating with the Headspace app: headspace.pxf.io/n15mXM*- Join the Exam Study Expert VIP supporters club on Patreon for a beautiful rejuvenating deep rest practice and much more: https://examstudyexpert.com/VIP*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/** As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases on suggested books. As a Headspace associate, I earn from qualifying subscriptions. All at no extra cost to you :-)Questions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).
Top tips and tricks to get the most out of your flashcard training (testing) time, to accelerate your learning and maximise your knowledge retention.Resources mentioned today:>> Work with me 1-on-1: https://examstudyexpert.com/coaching>> VIP supporters' club Patreon: https://examstudyexpert.com/VIP>> What to do the day before an exam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwrkFFkCACg*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!).
Part 4a the Flashcard Mastery Course. Today: the common trap of making a large set of flashcards without testing them, why we commonly get into this situation, and what to do about 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. Work with me: https://examstudyexpert.com/coachingQuestions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).
Part 3 of 4 of the Flashcard Mastery Course. Today: Part 3: Advanced Tips & Hacks for Flashcard MAKING - how to get more efficient in your flashcard making process, clever tricks for specific learning challenges.Bonus material and more on the Exam Study Expert Patreon:>> https://examstudyexpert.com/VIP/Questions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).