College Terms

A hundred college terms.

1. Freshman (frosh) – A first-year college student

2. Sophomore – A second-year college student

3. Junior – A third-year college student

4. Senior – A fourth-year college student

5. Undergraduate – A student studying for a bachelor’s degree

6. Graduate student – A student pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree

7. Major – The primary area of study for a student

8. Minor – A secondary area of study for a student

9. Elective – A course that is chosen by the student

10. Syllabus – A document outlining the course objectives, assignments, and schedule

11. GPA – Grade Point Average, a measure of a student’s academic performance

12. Transcript – A record of a student’s academic achievements

13. Lecture – An instructional presentation by a professor

14. Seminar – A small group discussion led by a professor

15. Lab – A practical session in a science or technology course

16. Registrar – The office responsible for student records and registration

17. Dean – The head of a college or department

18. Tuition – The fee for attending classes

19. Room and board – The cost of housing and meals on campus

20. Student ID – An identification card for access to campus facilities and services

21. Financial aid – Funding to help cover the cost of college

22. Scholarship – A merit-based financial award for students

23. Grant – A needs-based financial award for students

24. Student loan – Borrowed money to pay for college expenses

25. FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid

26. Pell Grant – A federal grant for low-income students

27. Dormitory – A residence hall for students

28. Commuter – A student who lives off-campus

29. Fraternity – A social organization for male students

30. Sorority – A social organization for female students

31. Rush – The process of joining a fraternity or sorority

32. Hazing – Harmful initiation rituals

33. Greek life – The culture and activities associated with fraternities and sororities

34. R.A. – Resident Assistant, a student leader in a dormitory

35. Off-campus housing – Housing options outside of the college campus

36. On-campus housing – Housing options provided by the college

37. Dining hall – A facility for meals on campus

38. Exams – Assessments of student knowledge and skills

39. Midterms – Exams given in the middle of the semester

40. Finals – Exams given at the end of the semester

41. Procrastination – Delaying tasks or assignments

42. Time management – The skill of planning and prioritizing tasks

43. Study group – A collaborative learning approach with other students

44. Office hours – Specific times when professors are available to meet with students

45. Academic advisor – A faculty member who provides guidance on course selection and academic planning

46. Plagiarism – Using someone else’s work without proper citation

47. Academic dishonesty – Any form of cheating or misconduct in academic work

48. Campus tour – A guided visit for prospective students

49. Admissions – The process of applying for acceptance to a college

50. Common Application – A standardized college application used by many institutions

51. Early decision – A binding application option with an early deadline

52. Deferred admission – A postponement of a student’s acceptance decision

53. Waitlist – A category for students who may be admitted if space becomes available

54. Orientation – A program for new students to learn about the college and campus resources

55. Academic probation – A warning status for students with low grades

56. Internship – A work experience related to a student’s major

57. Co-op – A cooperative education program that alternates between work and study terms

58. Study abroad – A program for students to live and study in another country

59. Exchange program – A program that allows students to attend another college for a term

60. Academic calendar – The schedule of academic events and deadlines for a college

61. Graduation – The formal ceremony for receiving a degree

62. Degree – An academic title earned upon completion of a program of study

63. Commencement – The ceremony that celebrates the end of the academic year

64. Cap and gown – The traditional attire worn by graduates at commencement

65. Student government – The organization representing student interests on campus

66. Student activities – Events and programs for student recreation and involvement

67. Student center – A central hub for campus resources and services for students

68. Career services – The office that provides support for student career development

69. Networking – Building connections with professionals in one’s field of interest

70. Alumni – Graduates of a college or university

71. Alumni association – An organization for former students to stay connected with their alma mater

72. Transferring – The process of moving to a different college or university

73. Dual enrollment – A program for high school students to take college courses

74. Academic advisor – A faculty member who provides guidance on course selection and academic planning

75. Continuing education – Programs for adult learners and non-traditional students

76. Online learning – Courses and programs delivered over the internet

77. MOOC – Massive Open Online Course, a free online course for unlimited participation

78. Accreditation – The process of evaluating a college’s quality and adherence to standards

79. Academic journal – A publication for scholarly research and articles

80. Academic conference – A gathering of scholars and researchers to present findings and exchange ideas

81. Common Core – A set of general education requirements for undergraduates

82. Core curriculum – A set of foundational courses for all students in a college

83. Degree audit – A report showing a student’s progress towards degree requirements

84. Experiential learning – Hands-on, practical learning experiences

85. Peer review – The process of evaluating academic work by other scholars in the same field

86. Semesters – The division of the academic year into two terms

87. Trimesters – The division of the academic year into three terms

88. Quarters – The division of the academic year into four terms

89. Withdrawal – Dropping a course before the end of the semester

90. Add/drop period – The window of time for making changes to a class schedule

91. Academic advising – Guidance on course selection and academic planning

92. Campus security – The division responsible for the safety and security of students and campus facilities

93. Academic probation – A warning status for students with low grades

94. Degree completion – The process of finishing all academic requirements for graduation

95. Double major – Pursuing two fields of study simultaneously

96. Graduation requirements – The specific courses and credits needed to earn a degree

97. Honor code – A set of principles for academic integrity and ethical behavior

98. Academic standing – A student’s status in relation to their academic performance

99. Registrar – The office responsible for student records and registration

100. Student handbook – A guide containing college policies and procedures for students.