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Research ArticleArticles

Low-Touch Attempts to Improve Time Management among Traditional and Online College Students

Philip Oreopoulos, Richard W. Patterson, Uros Petronijevic and Nolan G. Pope
Journal of Human Resources, January 2022, 57 (1) 1-43; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.57.1.0919-10426R1
Philip Oreopoulos
Philip Oreopoulos is a professor of economics at the University of Toronto.
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Richard W. Patterson
Richard Patterson is an assistant professor of economics at Brigham Young University.
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Uros Petronijevic
Uros Petronijevic is an assistant professor of economics at York University.
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Nolan G. Pope
Nolan Pope is an assistant professor of economics at the University of Maryland.
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Abstract

We evaluate two low-cost college support programs designed to target poor time management, a common challenge among many undergraduates. We experimentally evaluate the programs across three distinct colleges, randomly assigning more than 9,000 students to construct a weekly schedule in an online planning module and to receive weekly study reminders or coach consultation via text message. Despite high participation and engagement, and treated students at two sites marginally increasing study time, we estimate precise null effects on student credit accumulation, course grades, and retention at each site for the full sample and for multiple subgroups. The results and other supplemental evidence suggest that low-touch programs that offer scheduling assistance, encouragement, and reminders for studying lack the required scope to significantly affect academic outcomes.

JEL Classification:
  • I20
  • I23
  • J24
  • Received September 2019.
  • Accepted October 2019.
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Journal of Human Resources: 57 (1)
Journal of Human Resources
Vol. 57, Issue 1
1 Jan 2022
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Low-Touch Attempts to Improve Time Management among Traditional and Online College Students
Philip Oreopoulos, Richard W. Patterson, Uros Petronijevic, Nolan G. Pope
Journal of Human Resources Jan 2022, 57 (1) 1-43; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.57.1.0919-10426R1

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Low-Touch Attempts to Improve Time Management among Traditional and Online College Students
Philip Oreopoulos, Richard W. Patterson, Uros Petronijevic, Nolan G. Pope
Journal of Human Resources Jan 2022, 57 (1) 1-43; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.57.1.0919-10426R1
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    • I. Introduction
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Keywords

  • I20
  • I23
  • J24
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