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

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!).

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!).

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 *
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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 *

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 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!).

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?
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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!).

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.
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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 *
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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!).