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

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 whilst protecting your wellbeing.
This is an excellent advice-packed episode I hope the perfectionists in our Exam Study Expert community will return to again and again, covering everything from working definitions of perfectionism and types of inner critic, to key tools for rewriting your mindset about excellence and progress.
If Dr Tara’s advice has resonated with you, why not share this episode with a friend who’s stuck in overthinking mode, and leave a review so more students can find the show. 
👇 I’d love to know: What’s one perfectionist habit you want to loosen this week?
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⭐About today’s guest, Dr Tara Cousineau: 
📖 Find her recent book, The Perfectionist's Dilemma: Learn the Art of Self-Compassion and Become a Happy Achiever here: https://geni.us/perfectionist *
📖 Dr Tara’s first book, The Kindness Cure: How the Science of Compassion Can Heal Your Heart and Your World can be found here: https://geni.us/kindnesscure *
🌐Discover more about Dr Tara Cousineau: https://www.taracousineau.com/
🌐And learn more about The Perfectionist’s Dilemma here: https://perfectionistsdilemma.com/
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🎓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 on Patreon and grab exclusive benefits: https://examstudyexpert.com/patreon/
🎯 Book 1:1 COACHING to supercharge your exam success: https://examstudyexpert.com/workwithme/ 
📘Get Outsmart Your Exams, my award-winning exam technique book: 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, 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.

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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

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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!).

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, understanding and regulating your feelings can improve your mental health, your exam performance and your enjoyment of academic life at school or university.
Listen in to discover when to listen to your feelings, when to calm them, and how to stop anxiety and procrastination from running the show.
👇Your post-listening task: leave a comment and tell us which of Jenn’s strategies you think will help you in your studies today.
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⭐About today’s guest, Dr Jennifer Veilleux: 
📖 Find her book, Open to Emotion: How Acknowledging, Understanding, and Regulating Your Feelings Can Improve Your Mental Health here: https://geni.us/drjenn
🌐Discover more: https://emotioncentered.com/
📱Explore Dr Jenn’s recommended app How We Feel, here: https://howwefeel.org/
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🎓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 Outsmart Your Exams, my award-winning exam technique book: 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!).

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. 

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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!).

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 to see how disciplined consistency, metacognitive awareness, and smart practice can transform your results too.
Questions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).