College Glossary
Once you embark on your college journey, there is likely going to be some terminology that you don’t understand. Beyond financial aid terms that you can learn more about in our Financial Aid Glossary, here are some key terms to know prior to stepping foot on campus.
Add/Drop Period: Many colleges will offer a time period called add/drop at the beginning of each semester or quarter. During this time students are able to change their courses after they have begun taking the class. If you remove and/or add a course during this period, there will be no negative consequence on your transcript.
Academic Advisor: This is someone who is specifically assigned to you (typically by major or program) that provides you support on which classes to take and when, as well as any issues you are having academically. They can also be a great resource to write you a letter of recommendation down the line if you have a good relationship with them.
Asynchronous Learning: This is a type of online learning that allows students to watch lectures and complete assignments at their own pace, typically throughout the week or term, rather than needing to attend classes on a specific schedule.
Commencement: Once you complete all of your degree requirements, you will qualify for graduation. Commencement is the ceremony that allows students to celebrate their achievements and receive their diplomas.
Co-op: Also known as co-operative education, allows for both theoretical and hands-on application of their major, both in and outside of the classroom.
Course Catalog: A full inventory of courses that are offered by a university. You are able to find core courses as well as electives. It may also tell you when the course is offered so that you can plan in advance as most classes will not be offered every term. Schools will typically post this online with a list of sample plans of study based on your program.
Dean: These are the leaders of academic and student life departments across the college or university. They oversee the faculty and students, set goals for the department, and take care of other administrative tasks.
Externship: Similar to internships, externships typically take place for a shorter amount of time and do not provide college credit. They allow for job shadowing experiences prior to graduation.
GA or Graduate Assistant: Students working on their graduate degree that are employees of the university that perform duties to assist professors within specific courses that are related to their program. Because they have typically taken the course prior to helping with it, they can be great resources to you. They may also help professors with teaching undergraduate courses or research.
Independent Study: Working with a faculty member or advisor and other academics to create their own course specific to an interest they have. Typically, these will require a proposal and approval. They are then based on selected readings and assignments.
Lab: Some courses that you take, mainly in the courses of science, technology, engineering and math. will require a lab for practical application of theoretical topics that are discussed in your lecture course. They will be taken alongside these lectures and are not taken alone.
Lecture: The portion of a course where the professor teaches new information to students. It’s also the type of course that often takes place in a larger lecture hall and caters to several dozen, or sometimes hundreds of students, given the size of the college or university.
Office Hours: These are hours when professors are around to answer your questions outside of class. Sometimes they are only offered by appointment, or they may be available to walk-in.
Orientation: Takes place before the start of classes as a welcome for incoming first-year or transfer students. During orientation, students will get to know each other, the campus, and the resources it provides to students.
RA or Resident Assistant: Reporting to resident directors, RAs are typically upperclassmen students who live in the dorms and oversee and create activities for students.
Room and Board: Colleges will typically use this as an overarching term to describe the full fee that covers both on-campus housing and a meal plan.
RSO or Registered Student Organizations: A group of people who have complied with college or university registration requirements in order to be considered a student organization.
Syllabus: At the start of each academic term, professors will provide a syllabus for each class. This provides a full overview of the course, required readings, textbooks needed, tests and assignments, deadlines and other information.
Synchronous Learning: A type of online learning that requires students to attend lectures and complete assignments in real-time.
TA or Teaching Assistant: Typically a form of a graduate assistant that helps professors grade papers and lead courses in exchange for class credit and/or teaching stipends.
Withdraw: A student can withdraw from a class if they decide they will not earn the grade they need, either for their major or financial awards. They can retake the course again and aim for a higher grade. Unlike add/drop period, this will appear on their transcript as a W for withdrawal, WF for withdrawal fail or WP for withdrawal pass.
Work-Study: Students who qualify for a work-study through the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) can apply for part-time, campus-based jobs that pay hourly wages.
Now you're familiar with some of the terms that may help you through your college journey. But, if you’re looking for where to go when you need help in college, check out the My Coalition article, Where to Go to Get Help in College.
