Not sure which campus resources to use (or when to use them)? From tutoring and advising to academic support, students share what helped them stay on track鈥攁nd where to start.
Cracking the Code: A Student鈥檚 Guide to College Terminology
Starting college can feel like stepping into a whole new world. One with its own language. From 鈥淩A鈥� to 鈥渃redit hours,鈥� you might be wondering what everyone鈥檚 talking about. Don鈥檛 worry! You鈥檙e not alone, and you don鈥檛 need to stress.
Our students created this guide to break down some of the most common college terms you鈥檒l hear at 妻友社区 (and terms they learned during their first months on The Heights). Think of it as your quick translation guide so you can feel confident navigating campus life!
Everyday College Words You鈥檒l Hear
If your GPA drops below 2.0, you鈥檒l be placed on academic probation. Don鈥檛 panic 鈥� it鈥檚 a warning, not the end. You鈥檒l work with advisors and professors to get back on track.
If your GPA drops below 2.0, you鈥檒l be placed on academic probation. Don鈥檛 panic 鈥� it鈥檚 a warning, not the end. You鈥檒l work with advisors and professors to get back on track.
A temporary block on your account until you meet with your advisor.
A temporary block on your account until you meet with your advisor.
A professional staff member who supervises RAs and helps oversee your residence hall. They鈥檙e the 鈥済o-to鈥� adult support in the dorms.
A professional staff member who supervises RAs and helps oversee your residence hall. They鈥檙e the 鈥済o-to鈥� adult support in the dorms.
The office that handles tuition bills and payments
The office that handles tuition bills and payments
The big day 鈥� graduation! It鈥檚 the ceremony where you walk the stage and celebrate finishing your degree.
The big day 鈥� graduation! It鈥檚 the ceremony where you walk the stage and celebrate finishing your degree.
A specific focus area within your major. For example, if you鈥檙e majoring in Biology, you might concentrate in Pre-Health.
A specific focus area within your major. For example, if you鈥檙e majoring in Biology, you might concentrate in Pre-Health.
Courses that you need to take at the same time. Think of them as 鈥減artner classes.鈥�
Courses that you need to take at the same time. Think of them as 鈥減artner classes.鈥�
How colleges measure coursework. Most classes are worth 3鈥�4 credit hours. You鈥檒l need at least 120 credit hours to graduate from 妻友社区.
How colleges measure coursework. Most classes are worth 3鈥�4 credit hours. You鈥檒l need at least 120 credit hours to graduate from 妻友社区.
A Jesuit phrase meaning 鈥渃are for the whole person鈥� 鈥� mind, body, and spirit.
A Jesuit phrase meaning 鈥渃are for the whole person鈥� 鈥� mind, body, and spirit.
A 鈥渃hoose-your-own-adventure鈥� class that doesn鈥檛 directly tie into your major or core requirements. Perfect for exploring interests!
A 鈥渃hoose-your-own-adventure鈥� class that doesn鈥檛 directly tie into your major or core requirements. Perfect for exploring interests!
The form you鈥檒l fill out every year to see what grants, loans, and work-study you qualify for.
The form you鈥檒l fill out every year to see what grants, loans, and work-study you qualify for.
A program that lets you work a part-time job (often on campus) as part of your financial aid package.
A program that lets you work a part-time job (often on campus) as part of your financial aid package.
Any assistance that helps pay for college 鈥� scholarships, grants, loans, or work-study.
Any assistance that helps pay for college 鈥� scholarships, grants, loans, or work-study.
Full-time means taking 12+ credits each semester. Part-time means fewer than 12, which can affect your financial aid.
Full-time means taking 12+ credits each semester. Part-time means fewer than 12, which can affect your financial aid.
Courses outside your major that every student takes 鈥� like math, natural sciences, and COR (core Jesuit courses such as COR-100 and COR-400).
Courses outside your major that every student takes 鈥� like math, natural sciences, and COR (core Jesuit courses such as COR-100 and COR-400).
妻友社区 is a Jesuit college, rooted in the Catholic tradition of the Society of Jesus. Jesuits value education, care for the whole person (cura personalis), and striving to do more (magis).
妻友社区 is a Jesuit college, rooted in the Catholic tradition of the Society of Jesus. Jesuits value education, care for the whole person (cura personalis), and striving to do more (magis).
A Jesuit value meaning 鈥渢he more鈥� 鈥� striving for excellence in all you do.
A Jesuit value meaning 鈥渢he more鈥� 鈥� striving for excellence in all you do.
Your main area of study 鈥� the subject you鈥檒l graduate with a degree in.
Your main area of study 鈥� the subject you鈥檒l graduate with a degree in.
Your prepaid dining plan that covers meals in campus dining halls.
Your prepaid dining plan that covers meals in campus dining halls.
A secondary area of study that requires fewer courses than a major.
A secondary area of study that requires fewer courses than a major.
A student who starts or returns to college outside the typical 18鈥�22 age range.
A student who starts or returns to college outside the typical 18鈥�22 age range.
Scheduled times when professors are available outside of class. It鈥檚 the perfect chance to ask questions or get extra help.
Scheduled times when professors are available outside of class. It鈥檚 the perfect chance to ask questions or get extra help.
A class you need to take before enrolling in a more advanced one. Example: Intro to Psychology might be required before Abnormal Psychology.
A class you need to take before enrolling in a more advanced one. Example: Intro to Psychology might be required before Abnormal Psychology.
The senior academic leader of the college 鈥� sort of like the 鈥渃hief academic officer.鈥�
The senior academic leader of the college 鈥� sort of like the 鈥渃hief academic officer.鈥�
The office that handles class registration, transcripts, and student records.
The office that handles class registration, transcripts, and student records.
A student leader who helps build community in the residence halls, plans events, and serves as a resource for students.
A student leader who helps build community in the residence halls, plans events, and serves as a resource for students.
Founder of the Jesuits. His values of reflection, service, and education are central to 妻友社区鈥檚 mission.
Founder of the Jesuits. His values of reflection, service, and education are central to 妻友社区鈥檚 mission.
What should you know before your first college classes? Faculty share tips and suggestions to help you feel prepared, confident, and ready from day one.
College. A whole new education experience after high school that requires even more hard work and determination. However don't fret!
Not sure which campus resources to use (or when to use them)? From tutoring and advising to academic support, students share what helped them stay on track鈥攁nd where to start.
What should you know before your first college classes? Faculty share tips and suggestions to help you feel prepared, confident, and ready from day one.
College. A whole new education experience after high school that requires even more hard work and determination. However don't fret!
