Hi, I’m Sam. I stumbled into cognitive science while struggling to survive organic chemistry. Like most students, I wasted time on things that didn't really work: flashcards, color-coded notes, mind maps. Nothing stuck.

 

Eventually, I turned to the research. I started reading about how learning actually works, and found a set of powerful tools like free recall, interleaving, testing effects, dual coding, etc.—principles backed by decades of studies in cognitive science.

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I didn’t just pass organic chemistry, I actually did well. More importantly, I realized studying doesn’t have to feel random or frustrating when you use strategies that are grounded in science.​

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That was just the beginning. Over the next few years, I kept digging into the research and testing what worked in real life. It took a lot of trial and error to build something tangible from all these scattered research findings. But over time, I shaped everything I’d learned into a clear, usable system. Fueled by my enormous passion for this little-known science, that system became SAM (System for Academic Mastery).​​​​​​​​​

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Once I discovered cognitive science, my grades skyrocketed. But it was only after building SAM that I could maintain those results while cutting my study time in half. During those last 2 years after SAM was complete, I saved an estimated 800 hours, each of which were enjoyed thoroughly (see right). 

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I now share SAM to help students who are where I once was—frustrated and overworked. My hope is to save others the time I have wasted.