The Science of Staying on Track: What Wharton’s Katy Milkman Taught Us

As an educational consultant, I am always looking for the "why" behind student performance. Why do some students effortlessly stick to their SAT schedules while others, equally bright, struggle with procrastination?

Recently, I’ve been revisiting the work of Katy Milkman, a professor at Wharton (UPenn) and a guest on the Mel Robbins Podcast. Her research on behavioral change provides a brilliant roadmap for students navigating the high-pressure journey to top-tier universities. It isn’t about "working harder"; it’s about working with your brain, not against it.

Here is how we can apply Milkman’s behavioral science to your university preparation:

1. Leverage the "Fresh Start Effect"

Milkman’s research shows that we are more likely to achieve goals when we start them on "temporal landmarks"—like a Monday, the first of the month, or even the day after a school break.

• The Strategy: Don’t wait for a vague "someday" to start your personal statement. Use the upcoming semester or even a new week as a psychological "clean slate" to reset your study habits.

2. Use "Temptation Bundling" for Monotonous Tasks

We all have tasks we dread—perhaps it’s those repetitive IELTS vocabulary drills or organizing your extracurricular portfolio. Milkman suggests "bundling" a task you should do with something you love to do.

• The Strategy: Only allow yourself to listen to your favorite podcast or enjoy a specific snack while you are doing your college research or filling out administrative forms. It turns a chore into a rewarded activity.

3. Prepare for "The Friction"

One of the most profound takeaways from Milkman’s work is that procrastination is often just "friction." If your SAT prep book is buried under a pile of laundry, the friction of finding it might be enough to stop you from studying.

• The Strategy: Set your environment for success. If you plan to study at 4:00 PM, have your laptop open, your notes ready, and your phone in another room by 3:55 PM. Reduce the friction to zero.

4. The Power of "Giving Advice"

In a fascinating study, Milkman found that struggling students improved their own grades more by giving advice to others than by receiving it. It boosts confidence and forces you to internalize success strategies.

• The Strategy: If you’ve mastered a specific math concept or a writing technique, explain it to a peer. In my Compassionate Strategy, I encourage students to mentor one another because teaching is the highest form of learning.

  
  

My Mission as Your Counsellor As a mother and a consultant, I know that the road to an Ivy League or a top global institution can feel like an uphill battle. But science tells us that with the right "nudges" and systems, we can make excellence feel like a habit rather than a hurdle.

Success is not just about your IQ; it’s about the behavioral systems you build today.