Nudge Overview
This nudge campaign is a series of mindset nudges designed to help new sophomore students build a growth mindset. The nudges are intended to build upon each other and can be reinforced through a call-to- action.
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About this Campaign
Opportunity
For many institutions new sophomores have significantly lower persistence than average providing a clear opportunity to improve persistence with a nudge.
Goal
The goal of this nudge campaign is to nudge new sophomore students into behaviors that will aid in their success within the current term and persistence into the next term.
Students
The target student group for this nudge campaign is new sophomore students, e.g., students with 2 terms completed and about to start their Sophomore year.
Owner
The owner of the the nudge campaign is the person responsible for sending the nudges to the students and receiving and acting upon replies from students. Choose the most appropriate person at your institution to send the nudges. Remember, emails sent from a person the student knows are most likely to be read. Advisors or faculty are often appropriate owners for a nudge campaign.
Mindset Nudges
Nudges are sent at three different points during the academic term and utilize the following mindset principles:
- Growth Mindset
- Empathy
- Normalizing
- Goal Orientation
First Two Weeks of the Term
| Persistence Prediction: Very Low, Low, and Moderate Subject Line: You’re an experienced college student now Dear [STUDENT FIRST NAME], Can you believe you’re done with your [SOPHOMORE/SECOND] year? Think about how much you’ve learned! You are a seasoned college student now. You know the ins and outs of college life and have some great experience to build upon going into your final years. I know the journey to this point hasn’t been without challenges, and I applaud you for overcoming them. As the summer [TERM/SEMESTER] gets going don’t forgot that I am here to provide assistance, if needed. [INSERT CALL-TO-ACTION] [SIGNATURE] |
| Persistence Prediction: High and Very High Subject Line: You’re an experienced college student now Dear [STUDENT FIRST NAME], Can you believe you’re done with your [SOPHOMORE/SECOND] year? Think about how much you’ve learned! You are a seasoned college student now. You know the ins and outs of college life and have some great experience to build upon going into your final years. Welcome to the summer [TERM/SEMESTER] and let me know if I can be of any assistance. [INSERT CALL-TO-ACTION] [SIGNATURE] |
At Midterm
| Persistence Prediction: Very Low, Low, and Moderate Subject Line: Summer is zooming by Dear [STUDENT FIRST NAME], Summer moves fast, doesn’t it? You are taking more advanced classes at this point in your college career, which makes the fast pace of summer even more challenging. Use the same time management and study skills that you have developed during your first years of college to succeed during summer. You know how to learn and be successful in your courses. You have proven it. Continue to push yourself to learn and grow and you will surprise yourself with what you are able to accomplish. [INSERT CALL-TO-ACTION] [SIGNATURE] |
| Persistence Prediction: High and Very High Subject Line: Summer is zooming by Dear [STUDENT FIRST NAME], Summer moves fast, doesn’t it? You are taking more advanced classes at this point in your college career, which makes the fast pace of summer even more challenging. Continue to push yourself to learn and grow and you will surprise yourself with what you are able to accomplish. [INSERT CALL-TO-ACTION] [SIGNATURE] |
Last Week of the Term
| Persistence Prediction: Very Low, Low, and Moderate Subject Line: You’re almost a Junior Hi [STUDENT'S FIRST NAME], Summer is coming to an end and you are almost to your Junior year. By now you probably have most of your general education coursework out of the way and are going to start focusing on your major coursework. This is something to look forward to. Like most students taking summer courses, you are probably feeling pretty exhausted. Don’t lose focus. Keep up your effort through the end of the summer so you can end the summer and start your Junior year off strong. [INSERT CALL-TO-ACTION] [SIGNATURE] |
| Persistence Prediction: High and Very High Subject Line: You’re almost a Junior Hi [STUDENT'S FIRST NAME], Summer is coming to an end and you are almost to your Junior year. By now you probably have most of your general education coursework out of the way and are going to start focusing on your major coursework. This is something to look forward to. Keep up your effort through the end of the summer so you can end the summer and start your Junior year off strong. [INSERT CALL-TO-ACTION] [SIGNATURE] |