High-school students rely on pens every day for taking notes, solving problems, and writing essays. Using the strong, neurological connection between smell and memory, we turned pens into tactical memory tools by filling them with sprayable scents. Each pen was assigned a subject, and students were encouraged to spray their pens when they studied in order to create links in their memory between specific smells and specific subjects. As they studied regularly throughout the year, the smells would become strongly associated with subjects and memories. By exam time, students would be able to spray their pens, and trigger their brains to recall memories with clarity when they needed to the most.

Students received a refined, leather pouch embossed with Monash University’s logo. Inside were five pens, each with a subject-name neatly printed on its side. Each pen also contained a small vial with a spray-cap. Within each of the vials was a different scent, which could be sprayed as a mist by pressing down on the cap. The five scents were selected for their distinctness from each other. This was done to ensure that smells wouldn’t be confused, and that memories could be recalled more clearly. Students also received a personalised letter and an instructional card within the pouch that explained Study Scents.

A letter within the Study Scents pouch encouraged students to register their interest for enrolment information. This resulted in a 75% response rate. More broadly, we showed prospective students that Monash University were willing and able to help educate them, even before they were Monash University students. Interviewed students said that they felt as though Monash had their best interests at heart. Along with actively improving students’ study methods, Study Scents gave students a psychological boost, and made students feel as though they had a leg-up against the competition.