Thinking about going to college? Whether you’re a freshman or beyond, college comes with a whole new lingo. When chatting with professors, advisors or classmates, knowing the below eight terms will help you feel more confident.

Here’s your quick guide to mastering the terms, which will help you crush your academic goals from day one:

1. Matriculate. A student enrolled at a college or university, actively pursuing a degree.
2. Credit Hours. Each class is worth credits (usually 3–4 per class). You need a certain number to graduate.
3. Prerequisite. A class you must take first before moving on to another (think Biology 101 before Biology 102).
4. Syllabus. Your semester roadmap with deadlines, assignments and grading scales.
5. Major. Your intended area of study.
6. Gen Eds (General Education Courses). Required classes outside your major (math, science, English, etc.).
7. Electives. Fun or interesting classes you choose that aren’t required for your major.
8. Lecture vs. Lab. A lecture is learning from a professor in a classroom. Lab is hands-on experience.

The Takeaway
This list barely scratches the surface, as there are many more terms you’ll learn along your academic journey. Can you think of additional terms? Keep the conversation going and comment below!