Nudging Ahead

Education

Difference Education for College Students

Ross E O'Hara, Ph.D. on March 14, 2023

Educating incoming students about how each other's different backgrounds will shape their ensuing experience can have a profound impact on students' college life.

Educating incoming students about how each other's different backgrounds will shape their ensuing experience can have a profound impact on students' college life.

Education

3 Lessons About Communicating With Students

Ross E O'Hara, Ph.D. on January 31, 2023

Wonder how to write more impactful messages that students will read and actually respond to? Here are 3 lessons I've learned to improve student messaging.

Wonder how to write more impactful messages that students will read and actually respond to? Here are 3 lessons I've learned to improve student messaging.

Education

When There's No Going Home for the Holidays

Ross E O'Hara, Ph.D. on December 5, 2022

Many college students are excited to go home for the holidays. But some face serious threats, if they even have somewhere to go. Colleges must support all students over breaks.

Many college students are excited to go home for the holidays. But some face serious threats, if they even have somewhere to go. Colleges must support all students over breaks.

Gratitude

The Power of Gratitude

Ross E O'Hara, Ph.D. on November 2, 2022

Expressing gratitude can actually boost our mood, relieve stress, and help students learn more.

Expressing gratitude can actually boost our mood, relieve stress, and help students learn more.

Education

How Elite Colleges Divide Us and What We Can Do About It

Ross E O'Hara, Ph.D. on October 5, 2022

A new book argues that elite institutions are drivers of residential and educational segregation; several incremental changes may help.

A new book argues that elite institutions are drivers of residential and educational segregation; several incremental changes may help.

Forgiveness

Should We Stop Talking About Student Loan "Forgiveness"?

Ross E O'Hara, Ph.D. on September 21, 2022

Borrowers are excited that some or all of their student debt may be wiped away. But how we discuss loan relief may reinforce the stigma often associated with carrying debt.

Borrowers are excited that some or all of their student debt may be wiped away. But how we discuss loan relief may reinforce the stigma often associated with carrying debt.

Stress

When Educational Interventions Find Synergy

Ross E O'Hara, Ph.D. on August 23, 2022

What happens when you combine two evidence-based educational interventions? New research indicates that growth mindsets and stress reframing create good synergy for students.

What happens when you combine two evidence-based educational interventions? New research indicates that growth mindsets and stress reframing create good synergy for students.

Education

The 4 Types of Academic Help-Seekers

Ross E O'Hara, Ph.D. on July 18, 2022

We all want struggling students to ask for help, but that can look different depending on the type of help-seeker they are.

We all want struggling students to ask for help, but that can look different depending on the type of help-seeker they are.

Career

The Pros and Cons of Deadlines

Ross E O'Hara, Ph.D. on June 27, 2022

Deadlines can be a help or a hindrance depending on how they're used. Behavioral science provides important insights in how best to deploy deadlines for achieving our goals.

Deadlines can be a help or a hindrance depending on how they're used. Behavioral science provides important insights in how best to deploy deadlines for achieving our goals.

Motivation

5 Easy Steps for Helping Students Make It to College

Ross E O'Hara, Ph.D. on May 18, 2022

Help students follow through on aspirations to get from high school to college with an evidence-based, five-step procedure for effective planning.

Help students follow through on aspirations to get from high school to college with an evidence-based, five-step procedure for effective planning.

Education

Nudging Healthcare Students Through a Pandemic

Ross E O'Hara, Ph.D. on April 26, 2022

The U.S. increasingly needs more nurses and allied health professionals. A new study shows how supportive nudging can help more community college students persist in these fields.

The U.S. increasingly needs more nurses and allied health professionals. A new study shows how supportive nudging can help more community college students persist in these fields.

Motivation

The Backup Plan Paradox

Ross E O'Hara, Ph.D. on April 6, 2022

Many of us pursue goals with a backup plan, just in case things go awry. But studies show that backup plans incur costs that must be considered.

Many of us pursue goals with a backup plan, just in case things go awry. But studies show that backup plans incur costs that must be considered.

Education

Academic Seeds Need Healthy Soil to Grow

Ross E O'Hara, Ph.D. on February 7, 2022

Do educational nudge interventions (e.g., growth mindsets) benefit all students all of the time? New research indicates that students' learning environments have a big part in it.

Do educational nudge interventions (e.g., growth mindsets) benefit all students all of the time? New research indicates that students' learning environments have a big part in it.

Education

How to Support Single Moms in College

Ross E O'Hara, Ph.D. on January 11, 2022

Nearly 11 percent of U.S. college undergraduates today are single moms. A new pilot program seeks to redesign the college experience so more of them graduate.

Nearly 11 percent of U.S. college undergraduates today are single moms. A new pilot program seeks to redesign the college experience so more of them graduate.

Education

How to Help Students Who Don’t Expect to Finish College

Ross E O'Hara, Ph.D. on December 15, 2021

Some students never even attempt college because they anticipate bad things happening before they could graduate.

Some students never even attempt college because they anticipate bad things happening before they could graduate.

Education

Nudging Works to Get College Students to Seek Help

Ross E O'Hara, Ph.D. on November 2, 2021

A new study shows that nudges can get more students to take advantage of campus resources and improve academic success.

A new study shows that nudges can get more students to take advantage of campus resources and improve academic success.

Stress

Nudges Toward Equity: Social Belonging and Identity

Ross E O'Hara, Ph.D. on October 12, 2021

A sense of belonging is key to persistence in college, but this can be tenuous for BIPOC students. A brief social belonging intervention can help by reframing universal challenges.

A sense of belonging is key to persistence in college, but this can be tenuous for BIPOC students. A brief social belonging intervention can help by reframing universal challenges.

People have a need to feel competent, so they're usually interested in careers they think they'll be good at. We can use that idea to help students develop their career interests.

Education

How to Avoid 3 Major Time Traps

Ross E O'Hara, Ph.D. on September 9, 2021

Do you feel busier than usual as the new school year begins? Avoiding these "time traps" could help you get a better handle on your schedule and increase your happiness.

Do you feel busier than usual as the new school year begins? Avoiding these "time traps" could help you get a better handle on your schedule and increase your happiness.

Education

Strategies to Re-Engage Students Sidelined by the Pandemic

Ross E O'Hara, Ph.D. on July 20, 2021

How can colleges turn the tide against shrinking enrollments? I chatted with two higher-ed experts about how to re-engage students who took a break during the pandemic.

How can colleges turn the tide against shrinking enrollments? I chatted with two higher-ed experts about how to re-engage students who took a break during the pandemic.