A few weeks ago, someone shared a phrase that has been living rent-free in my mind ever since: “Clarity is kindness.”
This statement is so simple, yet it holds profound truth. I was able to trace this thought back to Brene Brown, who takes a strong stance on this topic. According to Brene: clear is kind, unclear is unkind.
Like most things in life, I brought this to the student level. During college, the path can often feel complex and overwhelming for students. Language is complicated, documents are long, and the process can be cumbersome. Based on the logic of Brene Brown, we are bring unkind to our students.
But what if it wasn’t this way? What if we simplified policies and communication and prioritized a high-level of transparency?
This got me thinking… how might we infuse clarity in the core of our operations? Here are some ideas for keeping things straightforward in our academic world, where jargon often reigns.
1. Avoid Complex Sentences and Dense Language
In academia, complex sentences and dense language are often the norm. We spent a considerable amount of time writing, reading, and researching and there’s no question that our writing tends to look a bit different than other fields. The conventions we rely on (such as; heavy detail, nuanced phrasing, and field-specific vocabulary), help us communicate complex ideas precisely. However, this style can often create barriers for students who are less familiar with these conventions.
For students, especially those new to college, our approach to writing can feel overwhelming. Academic language and institutional jargon can obscure important information and make it unnecessarily harder for students to feel confident and supported in their learning journey.
Consider the difference between these two statements:
In accordance with institutional policy, students are required to complete all prerequisite coursework prior to the ability to enrolled in advanced modules, thus ensuring adequate preparation
You will need to complete all introductory courses before enrolling in higher-level courses. Click here to see a list of the introductory courses
Which one is clearer for students?
Tips:
Break down long, complex sentences into shorter ones.
Use straightforward vocabulary and avoid length, convoluted phrasing.
For complex ideas, use bullet points or visuals to organize information.
By carefully selecting our words and creating meaningful sentences, we immediately improve the clarity of our communication.
2. Simplify Instructions and Processes
From enrollment and financial aid applications to course registration, our internal processes are often full of steps that can easily become confusing for students. Our internal documents are filled with layers of bullet points and details instructions and we expect students to read, interpret, and apply these processes accurately.
I wish I were over exaggerating, but I once came across a two-page “guide” to help students log into a new system and set up their profiles. With some careful editing, we were able to turn that transform it into a half-page sheet with just four clear steps. Turning a two-page document into a concise, half-sheet guide isn’t just efficient—- it’s also kind. Simplifying instructions shows respect for students’ time.
Consider the difference between these two statements:
Log into the system using your assigned user ID and the password you set during registration. If you have forgotten your user ID, please contact the help desk. You can also find this user ID in your student email account. Upon logging in, navigate to the profile section under the ‘My Account’ tab, which is located in the upper right hand corner, and complete the required fields to set up your profile.
1. Go to the login page.
2. Enter your user ID and password.
3. Open ‘My Account’ and go to ‘Profile.’
4. Complete the required fields.
Need help with your ID? Click here.
Which one is easier to follow?
Tips:
Break down processes into clear, step-by-step instructions.
Use bullet points and create visuals like flowcharts when possible.
Prioritize clarity over excessive detail and focus only on the essentials that students need to succeed.
Provide links to resources or support. If students may need help along the way, include direct links to helpful resources without overloading the main instructions.
In higher education, we often equate detail with thoroughness, but in many cases, simplicity (or clarity) is far more effective. When we create processes that are clear, we are being kind to our students.
3. Provide Clear Pathways and Roadmaps
Students are more successful when they can see the path ahead. Whether it’s understanding degree requirements, course sequences, or extracurricular options— students like to know what is coming and how far away they are from their goals. Clear, transparent pathways reduces uncertainty and helps students plan with confidence and clarity.
Too often, program requirements are buried in paragraphs of text or scattered across different sections of the academic catalog. It can feel frustrating to constantly jump around section to section looking for answers.
Imagine a student trying to figure out her graduation requirements because she thinks she’s getting close and doesn’t want to miss deadlines. She clicks on a tab in the catalog that says “graduation requirements”. She reads that page and then finds verbiage about program specific requirements that can be found in each program’s handbook. She navigates to her program’s handbook and doesn’t see a section titled “graduation requirements”, so she starts reading all 50 pages of the handbook. Along the way, she find a section about graduation tickets and since that’s related, she clicks on it. After about 45 minutes of clicking through links, she still doesn’t have her answer….
This scenario is not uncommon.
Now imagine this scenario:
A student logs into her student portal and sees her progression tracker. She is 4 classes away from graduation and can see her exact last date of class. There is a message for her from the registrar’s office with a checklist of items she needs to complete for graduation and their due dates. She finishes the checklist in 10 minutes and then heads back to the LMS to finish an assignment…
Which scenario is more likely given the current state of your institution?
Tips:
Use visual roadmaps to help students track their progress
Create simple checklists for students to use during various processes
Make sure students can easily locate these resources
By creating structured, visual roadmaps and pathways, we help students visualize their journey step-by-step. This makes it easier for them to take control of their academic goals and ensures they can spend their time focused on classroom activities.
4. Use Concise, Specific Prompts and Feedback
In assignments and feedback, clarity is essential. When prompts are vague, students are often left guessing about what’s expected. This leads to confusion, frustration, and inconsistent work quality. Clear prompts help students understand the assignment’s purpose, how they’ll be evaluated, and what steps they need to take to succeed.
Similarly, when feedback is unclear or overly general, students are left unsure of what to improve. This make it difficult, or impossible, to meet expectations in future assignments.
We can be kinder to our students by simply creating prompts that are more clear and giving feedback that is more clear.
Consider the difference between prompts:
Analyze the topic in detail. Be sure to support your points and summarize your analysis. Use 5 sources from the library.
Write a 3-5 page analysis on _____. Include an introduction with your main argument, 2-3 supporting points, and a conclusion summarizing your analysis. You will need to include at least 5 scholarly sources from the last ten years.
To help get your started, here is a blank template and an example.
Tips:
Make assignment prompts detailed and concise
Use bullet points to specify each requirement, such as word count, number of sources, or main topics to address.
Use examples to illustrate expectations
Avoid broad comments like “good effort” or “needs improvements”
Offer concrete suggestions like “this section needs at least three more examples to support your argument”
By providing specific, detailed prompts and feedback, we can guide students more effectively and set them up to meet expectations with confidence and clarity.
Embracing Clarity as a Core Value in Higher Education
Higher education doesn’t have to be complex to be valuable. In fact, true value often lies in our ability to make learning accessible and empowering for every student. By choosing simplicity over jargon, we are providing our students with the guidance they need. It’s living out our missions to support all students regardless of their backgrounds. We reinforce a culture where students feel seen and respected.
Clear is kind and unclear is unkind.
When we embrace clarity in our language, policies, and processes, we make a commitment to inclusivity. We show that education is not a privilege reserved for those who can decipher complex instructions, but a right available to all students. Living out this commitment means going beyond our traditional practices and truly aligning with our missions.
Clarity truly is kindness, and it’s time for higher education to fully embrace it as a core value. Clarity is transformative—and it’s what our students deserve.
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