He had the students captivated as he outlined "How your mind can help you to be more successful". He explained how the brain searches for patterns to make sense of our experiences and the importance of focusing as the brain is bombarded with roughly 14 million pieces of data per second.

Dr O'Brien explored the setting process rather than outcome goals and encouraging the students to break down achieving top grades into smaller steps by working hard to achieve each 'stepping stone' goal along the way.

The students were stunned by a Derren Brown-esq optical illusion in which he read the mind of a student, commenting on how suggestible we are; at this point all present realised the need for far more practice at focusing on key information!

As the presentation moved on to consideration of our 'inner story', the story which takes place in the mind and influences everything you think, feel and do, Calum Hayes in Year 12 was quick to explain his, saying, "I am the sort of person who likes to make people laugh!" He did, but Dr O'Brien certainly had the last laugh!