Opinion Blog

Ask a Psychologist

Helping Students Thrive Now

Angela Duckworth and other behavioral-science experts offer advice to teachers based on scientific research. Read more from this blog.

Angela Duckworth and other behavioral-science experts offered advice to teachers based on scientific research. Angela is a co-founder of Character Lab, a nonprofit organization advancing scientific insights that help kids thrive. She is also the Rosa Lee and Egbert Chang Professor at the University of Pennsylvania. This blog is no longer being updated.

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Student Well-Being Opinion Why Starting Can Be the Hardest Part of a Project. How to Get Motivated
Educators can turn to several research-backed ways to teach students time-management skills.
Johanna Peetz, April 19, 2023
3 min read
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Student Well-Being Opinion Teachers Can Make the World of Difference in a Child's Life
The roots of resilience in one student’s story thrived largely from the support of caring adults.
Angela Duckworth, April 12, 2023
1 min read
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Student Well-Being Opinion How Honest Are You? Your Students?
Angela Duckworth explains what research says about our ability to trust each other—and it might surprise you.
Angela Duckworth, April 5, 2023
2 min read
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Student Well-Being Opinion Has a Student Ever Caught You Being Less Than Honest? What to Do About It
It's about more than just telling kids to do the right thing, explains a behavioral economist.
Uri Gneezy, March 29, 2023
1 min read
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Student Well-Being Opinion Why Teachers Need to Be Honest With Students
If you want to develop strong relationships, one trait is key, explains a psychologist.
Eranda Jayawickreme, March 22, 2023
3 min read
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Student Well-Being Opinion A Reward System Can Build a Homework Habit. Here's How
Students can try these ideas to see what works for them.
Angela Duckworth, March 15, 2023
1 min read
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Student Well-Being Opinion What to Tell Students Who Keep to Themselves
Even introverts feel better than they expect after talking to strangers.
David G. Myers, March 8, 2023
1 min read
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Student Well-Being Opinion Ouch! Why Teens Criticize Adults
What to say to students—especially when they’re right.
Lisa Damour, March 1, 2023
1 min read
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Student Well-Being Opinion What Teachers Need to Know About Empathy
An expert on empathy explains what we all get wrong—and right.
Jamil Zaki, February 22, 2023
3 min read
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Student Well-Being Opinion You Made a New Year’s Resolution but You Didn't Keep It. Now What?
A failed plan isn’t a failure. Here’s how to make adjustments.
Angela Duckworth, February 15, 2023
1 min read
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Student Well-Being Opinion Not All Screen Time Is the Same. Here’s What the Research Says
Explaining to students what the studies show about cellphone use can help them make informed decisions.
Jean M. Twenge, February 8, 2023
1 min read
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Student Well-Being Opinion The Real Reason Why Students Procrastinate
Understanding what drives procrastination can help students learn how to overcome it, explains a clinical psychologist.
Seth J. Gillihan, February 1, 2023
2 min read
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Student Well-Being Opinion One Thing Teachers Can Do to Help Students Change Their Habits
Daniel Willingham explores what the research says it takes to make better choices.
Daniel Willingham, January 25, 2023
2 min read
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Student Well-Being Opinion How to Help Students Who Feel Inadequate
Your values are your foundation and your compass. Here’s how they can help guide you and your students.
Angela Duckworth, January 18, 2023
2 min read