A First-Gen Student's Guide to University Terminology

Navigating the university environment can be challenging, especially for first-generation students who might not be familiar with the terminology commonly used in higher education. This glossary aims to demystify some of the most common terms your first-generation students will encounter as they begin their college journey. First-gen professionals, please use this guide as a template for building your own guide to your university’s terminology and acronyms for your first-generation students:

Academic Advisor

An academic advisor is a faculty or staff member who helps students select courses, plan their academic paths, and navigate university policies. They are a key resource for ensuring you stay on track to meet your graduation requirements.

Academic Year

The academic year is typically divided into two semesters (fall and spring), although some universities may also have summer and winter sessions. It generally begins in late August or early September and ends in May or June.

Add/Drop

The add/drop period is the designated time at the beginning of the semester when students can add or drop courses without penalty. After this period, withdrawing from a course may result in a grade of “W” on your transcript.

Attendance Policy

An attendance policy is a set of rules established by the university or individual professors regarding students’ attendance in class. Adhering to these policies is important to ensure academic success.

Audit

Auditing a course allows a student to attend classes without receiving credit or a grade. This can be a good way to explore subjects of interest without the pressure of exams and assignments.

Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study, lasting typically for four years.

Blue Book

A blue book is a small notebook used for writing essays and short answers during exams. It is often required for in-class tests.

Bursar

The bursar’s office is responsible for handling the university’s financial matters, including billing and collecting tuition, fees, and other charges. If you have questions about your bill or need to set up a payment plan, this is where you go.

Class Ticket

A class ticket is the scheduling result of the course request entered by students each semester. The class ticket shows which section of each course the student has been enrolled in for a given semester. The sections are identified by a course request number (CRN). Once the add/drop period opens, students may make changes to their original class ticket.

Clery Act

This law requires any public or private college or university which receives federal financial aid to keep and disclose crime statistics on and near campus. Amendments to the Clery Act passed in 2008 require institutions to include a campus emergency response plan in their reporting. Institutions are required to publish their report each fall and it must contain information for the prior three years.

Co-Curricular or Extracurricular Activities

Activities, programs, and learning experiences that complement the formal academic curriculum. Research shows that students who are involved outside the classroom are more invested, more successful academically, and more satisfied with their college experience.

Core Curriculum

The core curriculum refers to a set of required courses that all students must complete, regardless of their major. These courses are designed to provide a broad foundation of knowledge and skills.

Credit Hour

A credit hour is a unit of measurement that represents one hour of class time per week over a semester. Most courses are worth three credit hours, meaning they meet for three hours each week.

Curricular Activities

Curricular activities are activities directly related to the academic curriculum, such as labs, projects, and class discussions.

College

A college can refer to an individual institution offering undergraduate degrees or to a division within a university, such as the College of Arts and Sciences.

Course Catalog

A course catalog is a comprehensive resource listing all the courses offered by a university, along with their descriptions, prerequisites, and academic policies. It’s an essential tool for planning your academic journey.

Course Number

A course number is the number your college or university uses to classify a course. This number is needed in order to register for a class.

Course Request

A course request is the process of selecting courses for the upcoming semester, typically done through the university’s registration system. Course request for summer and fall classes occurs in the spring semester and during the fall semester for spring classes. Students are often asked, encouraged, or required to meet with their academic advisor before registering for courses to ensure that they understand their course requirements.

Credit Hour

A credit hour is equivalent to one hour of class time per week. Courses are usually measured in credit hours, with most being three or four credit hours. Students may refer to how many credit hours or credits they are carrying for a particular semester. A general rule of thumb is that students should be averaging about two hours of work per week outside of class for each credit hour or hour of time spent in class. The number of credit hours a student enrolls in determines whether they are a full-time student or a part-time student.

Curriculum

The curriculum is the set of courses and their content offered at a university or within a specific program or major. It outlines the required and elective courses needed to complete a degree.

Department

A department is a division within a college or university that focuses on a specific academic discipline, such as the Department of Biology or the Department of History.

Elective

An elective is a course that students can choose to take for credit toward their degree, but it is not required by their major. Electives allow students to explore interests outside their primary field of study.

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

The FAFSA is a form that students in the United States must complete to be considered for financial aid, including federal grants, loans, and work-study programs. Submitting the FAFSA is a critical step in securing financial support for your education and is required to be completed every year that you are enrolled in college.

Major

A major is a student’s primary area of study, typically requiring a set number of specific courses within a department. Declaring a major allows students to specialize in a particular academic discipline.

Minor

A minor is a secondary field of study requiring fewer courses than a major. It allows students to gain expertise in an additional area of interest. A minor is optional.

Office Hours

Office hours are designated times when professors are available to meet with students outside of class. This time can be used for discussing course material, seeking advice, or getting help with assignments. Professors or teaching assistants announce when and where office hours will be every week. This information is also listed on each course syllabus.

Prerequisite

A prerequisite is a course or requirement that must be completed before enrolling in a more advanced course. Understanding prerequisites is crucial for planning your academic schedule.

Reading Day

A reading day is a designated day without classes before final exams begin. It provides students with time to study and prepare for their exams.

Registrar

The registrar’s office manages student records, including course registration, transcripts, and graduation requirements. This office is essential for handling administrative aspects of your academic career.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is defined by the federal government as successful completion of coursework to maintain eligibility for financial aid. The federal government requires that universities establish, publish, and apply standards to monitor progress toward completion. These standards apply both to grade point average (GPA) and to progress toward degree completion. Students must maintain the standard minimum GPA established by their university and must complete the required number of credits for graduation within a maximum number of attempts.

School

A school can refer to an individual institution of higher education or to a division within a university, such as the School of Business or the School of Engineering.

Syllabus

A syllabus is a document provided by professors at the beginning of a course, outlining the course structure, schedule, assignments, grading policies, and other important information. It serves as a roadmap for the semester. The syllabus contains a wealth of information about the course and may include requirements, expectations, textbook information, contact information for the instructor, office hours, objectives, assignments, and a daily schedule of topics. Students are encouraged to read the syllabus carefully and refer to it often throughout the course.

Teaching Assistant (TA)

A teaching assistant is a graduate student who assists a professor with instructional responsibilities, such as leading discussion sections, grading assignments, and holding office hours.

University

A university is an institution of higher education offering undergraduate and graduate programs across various fields of study. It typically comprises multiple colleges and schools.

Withdrawal

Withdrawal refers to the process of officially leaving a course or the university before completing it. Withdrawals after the add/drop period usually result in a “W” on the transcript.

Work-Study

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a financial aid program that provides part-time jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay for educational expenses. The federal work study portion of the financial aid package is the portion that a student can earn through a part-time job on campus.