If the newfound freedom isn’t enough to make your head spin, you’ll soon discover it’s like college students speak a different language. In a way, they sort of do. While every school has specific terms and acronyms, you need to know the universal basics before you step on campus. Though our first edition gave you tons of must-know slang, it’s time for an update. After all, collegiette-ese changes quicker than fashion trends.
-A-
Academic Probation: A warning students receive when they’re not maintaining a certain GPA and, sometimes, not taking enough credits per semester.
Don’t take this status lightly (not like you would): academic probation can affect your involvement in extracurriculars and Greek Life. To avoid academic probation, ask your college advisor for more information.
Ex: I wanted to rush but I’m on academic probation.
-B-
Barstool Blackout Tour: A nationwide party that college students love.
Many venues host these huge parties for college students that usually occur during the spring. Though you have to pay, and aren’t allowed to drink unless you’re 21+, Barstool Blackout is notorious for setting the stage for tons of crazy morning-after stories.
Ex: I’m a little afraid to go out after Barstool Blackout last weekend.
B&R: An acronym that stands for “boot and rally.”
Sometimes, pre-gaming feels more like gaming. Instead of missing out on the party, some collegiettes get it out of their system – for lack of a better term – and then head to the party.
Ex: She was in the bathroom for a while. Maybe she had a case of B&R?
-C-
Core Curriculum: A fancy term for general education requirements.
Ex: I just want to be done with my core curriculum so I can focus on my major.
-D-
Dean’s List: College’s version of the honor roll.
If you maintain a certain GPA both semesters, you’ve made the Dean’s List! Before starting classes, check your school’s requirements for the Dean’s List. The perfect way to motivate yourself after a work-free summer, right?
Ex: My parents took me out for dinner because they’re so happy that I made the Dean’s List.
D-Hall: A shortened version for dining hall.
Although this may seem like a given, a lot of collegiettes refer to their D-Hall by its formal name.
Ex: I’m starving… D-Hall in fifteen?
Discussion: A smaller class that is taken with a large lecture.
Let’s be honest, who’s going to raise their hand and ask a question in a huge lecture hall? Exactly. Led by a TA, a discussion gives you the opportunity to further your understanding of the curriculum. Since it’s a smaller group, you’ll usually talk about readings and that week’s lecture. Some schools call discussions “recitations.”
Ex: I wasn’t able to read the chapter in time for lecture, but we won’t talk about it until discussion so I’m safe for now.
DTR: An acronym that stands for “define the relationship.”
Soon enough, you’ll realize that college relationships are complicated. Are you in a relationship or is it a casual hook-up situation? This acronym is a discreet way to address an awkward dilemma.
Ex: I really like him, but does he want a relationship? It’s time to DTR.
Dues: A certain amount you need to pay when joining a club.
In order to have fun events, many extracurricular clubs and sororities will charge their members an initial membership fee.
Ex: I was skeptical about paying dues at first, but it’s totally worth it!
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-F-
Floorcest: A romantic (or lust-driven) relationship with someone from your residence hall’s floor. Similar to dormcest, but more specific.
Ex: I wonder if our RA knows about all the floorcest this semester.
Foam Party: A theme party that involves ton of suds!
“It’s exactly what it sounds like—a room full of bubbles with lots of half-naked people,” says Michelle Lewis, a senior at UNC Chapel Hill and HC’s Life Editor.
Ex: “Is it raining outside?” “Nope, I just came back from a foam party.”
FOMO: An acronym for “fear of missing out.”
Don’t panic, collegiettes: FOMO is very common. Since something’s always happening in college, you may find yourself feeling out of the loop. Thankfully, there are ways to combat this.
Ex: I have a midterm on Monday, but I want to go out tonight… a classic case of FOMO.
Freshman Fifteen: A term that refers to gaining weight your freshman year of college.
Between the late night munchies and endless partying, it’s rather common to gain a few pounds during your first semester. If you embrace a healthy lifestyle now, your chances of gaining the freshman fifteen will go down!
Ex: I saw my ex over Thanksgiving break – he totally gained the freshman fifteen.
-H-
#Hashtag: The verbal variation of Twitter’s hashtag trend.
Don’t use this term too much, or else people may judge you and think that you’re incapable of human interaction. If you use this term ironically and sporadically, you should be fine!
Ex: I made weird eye contact with my crush at the coffee shop… ‘hashtag’ awkward.
-K-
Keg Stand: A party activity where an individual drinks from a keg upside down.
If you’ve watched a typical college movie, you’ve seen a keg stand. Usually, your legs are held up in the air as you drink from the keg. Most people usually time how long you can hold a keg stand for. For your own sake, please don’t do a keg stand in a skirt—it’s embarrassing for you and uncomfortable for everyone. For a definition of keg, please refer to the first collegiette dictionary.
Ex: My boyfriend is the keg stand king in his frat.
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-M-
Matriculation: A big ceremony at the start of the year that officially marks the transition from pre-collegiettes to collegiettes.
Though it’s a pretty long ceremony, many use the time to bond with their new classmates.
Ex: Sure it was boring, but I spotted a lot of cute collegents at matriculation.
Meme: Sassy online images that mix pop culture with real life scenarios.
Maybe you’ve seen memes online, but they have a whole new meaning in college. “They got really popular and colleges started making their own meme pages,” says Deb McNeil, a junior at Boston University. “They’re king of a big school joke.” College-approved memes usually portray a common attitude towards a certain situation.
Ex: That meme perfectly depicts our school’s nasty dining hall food.
Mixer Box: A collection of costumes for themed parties or mixers.
Remember the good ‘ol days of dressing up like a princess? College takes your love of costumes and gives it a mature twist. Think of a mixer box as a closet for your costumes.
Ex: There’s an ABC party tonight. I think I have the perfect outfit in my mixer box!
-N-
No-Shave November: During November, collegents take their independence to a new level by not shaving… for the whole month.
If you’re into the lumberjack look, November is your new favorite month; however, it’s a month of terror for the rest of us.
Ex: I used to hook up with him, but then No-Shave November came and it was downhill from there.
-P-
Points: A form of currency in college.
In college, you don’t use money. Instead, you use points. Most universities have two types of points: convenience points and dining points. Though convenience points are ideal for picking up that bottle of shampoo, you can use dining points for your meals. To find out more information about both, check out your school’s website.
Ex: He bought me salad with his dining points… how romantic!
-R-
Registrar: The motherload of student records.
Basically, the registrar is your go-to place for all official records, such as your college transcript.
Ex: When I wanted to add another class to my schedule, I went to the registrar.
-S-
Slam Piece: A hook-up buddy.
Referring to someone as your biddie is so 2010. Now, it’s all about the slam piece. Grotesque? Sort of. Popular? You bet!
Ex: My slam piece called me at 2AM… obvious, much?
Stoplight Party: A themed party that designates your relationship status.
Like a stoplight, this party is all about color. “Wear green if you’re single, red if you’re taken, or yellow if you’re in an open relationship or it’s complicated,” says Michelle Lewis. Another reason you need to DTR!
Ex: He treats me like a girlfriend, but we’re not Facebook official. Let’s see what he wears to the stoplight party.
Super Senior: Someone who is in their fifth – or more – year of college.
Ex: Since I changed my major so much, I’m rocking the super senior status.
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-T-
Thirsty Thursday: When college students go out and party on Thursday nights.
In college, the weekend starts early! Just make sure you don’t party too hard if you have classes on Friday!
Ex: That Spanish midterm was a killer… Thirsty Thursday anyone?
Transported: Getting taken to the hospital by your school after a night of too many drinks.
At many schools, getting transported is more than an embarrassing experience. Sometimes, students have to pay a fine, attend alcohol education seminars, and are even placed on academic probation (see Academic Probation).
Ex: I had to pick my roommate up from the hospital because she was transported last night.
-W-
Winternship: An internship during winter break.
Though many collegiettes embrace winter break as a month or two of pure freedom, others take on an internship during the holiday season. Since most people focus on summer internships, a winternship is a fabulous way to make connections!
Ex: She met so many people through her winternship—looks like applying for summer internships will be a breeze!
W.O.F.O: An abbreviation for “work out fake out.”
Perhaps donning a pair of spandex, gym sneakers, and a lax pinnie to class is your way of impressing that cutie in your math discussion- you know, the one in the third row- but you know that you weren’t planning to hit up the gym. “I’m always throwing on my Nike shorts and sneakers or class,” says Bethany Christie, a junior at Lafayette College. “My friends ask me if I just went to the gym or if I’m doing W.O.F.O. ‘Committing W.O.F.O.’ is my favorite reply!”
Ex: She’s wearing tight gym clothes, but her hair and makeup is perfection. Can we say W.O.F.O.?
Work-Study: A part-time job on campus that is usually in conjunction with a student’s financial aid package.
Usually, work-study jobs include miscellaneous jobs on campus, like serving food at your dining hall. Not sure if you need to apply for a work-study job? Contact your college’s financial aid department.
Ex: I couldn’t join many clubs freshman year because I had a very demanding work-study job.
-Y-
YOLO: A fun acronym that stands for “you only live once.”
Derived from Drake’s song, “The Motto,” most collegiettes use this phrase to express a carefree and spontaneous mindset.
Ex: Last night, I made out with my ex-boyfriend’s old roommate… YOLO.
Before you break out the flashcards, you should know that these terms will soon be second nature to you. The more time you spend on campus, the more you’ll use collegiette lingo. But isn’t it nice to know that you won’t need a translator during your first few days as a collegiette?
Did we miss your favorite term? Sound off below!