Boosting uptake of online study modules

New university students often struggle with academic study, but uptake of study support tools is very low.

Increasing someone’s sense of belonging in a group can change their behaviour. Interventions based on a sense of belonging enhance individuals’ awareness of their similarities with others, which in turn can lead to changes in the way the individuals behave.

This insight can be used to boost achievement in education and prompt new habits, such as community organisation and activism.

We reassured students that they were not alone in experiencing difficulties adjusting to university (e.g. ’Lots of King’s 1st years find adapting to university study takes time’).

Uptake of an online study module doubled, with stronger effects for underrepresented groups of students.