You’ve probably heard the story about the professor who stashed $50 in a locker and hid the combination in the syllabus. By the end of the semester? No takers. Not one. It’s a funny story, but it highlights a real issue: students don’t read syllabi. And honestly, can you blame them? Most syllabi are dense, legalese-filled documents that look more like contracts than invitations to learn.
But here’s the thing: your syllabus is one of the most important documents you create as an educator. It sets the tone, outlines expectations, and gives students a roadmap for success. So, how do you get them to actually read it—and keep referring to it throughout the semester? Let’s break it down.
1. Make It Easy on the Eyes
Let’s face it—nobody wants to read a wall of text. If your syllabus looks like it was written on a typewriter, you’re losing students before they even hit the first assignment.
- Design Matters: Think of your syllabus as a brochure for your course. Break up long paragraphs with bullet points, subheadings, and even some well-placed images or graphics. Use bold fonts and color to draw attention to important sections—deadlines, assignments, grading policies. There are tons of free tools like Canva or even Google Slides that can help you create a visually engaging syllabus without a design degree.
- Clickable Table of Contents: For the longer syllabi out there, adding a clickable table of contents can make it easy for students to find what they need. Plus, it cuts down on the “What’s the late policy again?” emails.
2. Go Beyond Text—Use Video or Infographics
You’ve probably noticed by now—students love video content. Why not meet them where they are?
- Video Walkthrough: Record a quick 5-minute video walking students through the highlights of the syllabus. Talk them through important policies, key deadlines, and how to succeed in your course. Not only does this give your syllabus some personality, but it also helps with retention. Post it right in your course shell or email it out with the syllabus.
- Infographics: Infographics are a great way to distill key sections of your syllabus into bite-sized, visual pieces. You can create a fun, easy-to-read infographic for things like grading breakdowns or major assignments. It’s a fast way to get info across without making students wade through paragraphs.
3. Ditch the Formality—Set a Friendly Tone
Here’s the deal: your syllabus is likely the first piece of you students will experience. If it reads like a legal contract, it might give off the vibe that you’re unapproachable or too strict.
- Keep It Warm and Student-Focused: Using a conversational tone makes a huge difference. Instead of, “Late work will not be accepted,” try, “Life happens. If you’re going to miss a deadline, just let me know and we’ll figure something out.” This shifts the tone from punitive to supportive. Research even backs it up: students who read warm, inclusive syllabi perceive their instructors as more approachable and caring. It sets a collaborative tone right from the start.
- Personal Touches Matter: Consider adding a quick intro about yourself and why you’re excited about the course. It doesn’t have to be long, but it shows that you’re not just a name on a document—you’re a person who’s there to help them succeed.
4. Make It Accessible—For Everyone
An engaging syllabus isn’t just pretty—it needs to be accessible to all students, especially those with disabilities.
- Universal Design Is Key: Use high-contrast colors, readable fonts (no Comic Sans, please), and avoid excessive decorative elements that might get in the way of readability. Make sure your document is screen reader-friendly and provide alternative formats like plain text if needed. Accessibility is about more than checking a box—it’s about making sure every student has a fair shot at success.
- Chunk It Up: Break the syllabus into smaller, digestible sections. Use headers, bullet points, and numbered lists to guide students through the content. Remember, students are juggling multiple courses, and yours might not be the only syllabus they’re trying to navigate.
5. Make It Interactive
Who says a syllabus has to be static? If you’re posting your syllabus digitally, you’ve got options to make it interactive and way more useful.
- Hyperlinks Everywhere: If you’re teaching in a digital environment, include hyperlinks to key resources—like your university’s policy pages, reading lists, or even your office hours calendar. It makes life easier for your students and cuts down on repetitive questions.
- Clickable Calendars: Embedding a class calendar with clickable due dates can make a world of difference. Students can jump directly to assignments, readings, and quizzes, all from your syllabus. It’s like turning your syllabus into a course hub.
6. Flip the Script—Make It About Them
One of the biggest reasons students skim through syllabi is that they don’t see how it connects to them. Let’s fix that.
- What’s in It for Them? Instead of just listing out learning outcomes, tell students why those outcomes matter. What skills are they going to walk away with? How will this course help them in their future careers? When students understand the “why,” they’re more likely to stay engaged.
- Build in Flexibility: Life doesn’t always go according to plan, and your students know that better than anyone. If you can, build in some flexibility—like a late work policy with a grace period or extra credit opportunities. This shows that you’re invested in their success, not just grading their performance.
Conclusion: A Syllabus They’ll Actually Use
Your syllabus shouldn’t feel like a chore—for you or your students. It’s a roadmap, a contract, and a connection all rolled into one. By making it visually engaging, accessible, interactive, and student-centered, you’re creating something that students will actually want to engage with.
And hey, if you’ve made it all the way through this blog post, you’re probably ready to give your syllabus a little makeover. Whether you add a video, throw in some infographics, or just tone down the academic jargon, these small changes can make a huge difference.
Want more tips on engaging students from day one? Check out our video podcast on crafting a syllabus they’ll actually read—and maybe even enjoy!
Bonus Tip: Need a fresh perspective on your syllabus before the semester starts? Send it to a colleague or even a student for feedback. Sometimes a second pair of eyes can catch things you didn’t even think about!