Ariannita tours the University of Cincinnati, explaining how U.S. students talk about majors, campus life, dorms, professors, classrooms, and financial aid. A student interview adds vocabulary for design studies and future plans. College terminology, program structures, prices, scholarship amounts, and sponsor promotions in the recording reflect the time and institution shown; policies and costs vary and change.
Read the full lesson summary
University Vocabulary is a guided learning foundations lesson for English learners who want to understand and use language in this real-life situation. The short description introduces the lesson; this expanded guide draws its details from the transcript and its phrase notes, so it focuses on what this particular video actually covers rather than a generic channel overview.
What the lesson covers
The lesson moves through Explaining U.S. college and university terms; Walking around a university campus; Choosing a major and degree; Remembering nursing school; Archived language-learning sponsor segment; Addressing teachers and professors; Finding campus buildings and student housing; and further related moments. Following that sequence helps learners connect each expression to what the speakers are doing, asking, or responding to, instead of memorizing vocabulary as a disconnected list. Listen for how the meaning changes with the situation and how the speaker's wording keeps the exchange moving.
Language to take away
on this campus — At the grounds and buildings belonging to the school being discussed. Common campus-tour and directions language.Use it when: Describe where facilities or activities are located at a school.When it may not fit: For a large university with multiple locations, specify which campus.Example: “There are several libraries on this campus.”
offer undergraduate programs — Provide courses and degree programs for students pursuing their first university-level qualification. Standard education and admissions language.Use it when: Ask what levels or programs a school provides.When it may not fit: Check the institution’s current program list; offerings can change.Example: “The university offers undergraduate programs in biology and design.”
within a university — As part of, or inside the organizational structure of, a university. Neutral organizational language.Use it when: Describe a college, department, or school that belongs to a larger university.When it may not fit: Not every institution uses the same organizational structure.Example: “The school of nursing is one division within a university.”
A way to use this lesson
Try using “on this campus” in a sentence about explaining u.s. college and university terms. Replay the relevant moment, then adapt the language to a real conversation you expect to have. Keep the original situation in mind: the goal is not simply to repeat a sentence, but to choose wording that suits the people, purpose, and tone of the exchange.
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Transcript
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Select an expression for its meaning · 0:00
Explaining U.S. college and university terms
Hello, everybody! My name is Ariannita la Gringa, and welcome back to my YouTube channel. In today's video, I'm at the University of Cincinnati to teach you college vocabulary. I will show you around this campus and all the buildings that are as well as teach all of you the different Majors that this university offers now you're probably wondering aranita why did you say University of Cincinnati and college in the same sentence well These terms can be confusing, especially for international students. so now I will teach you the difference between
Try it: Try using “on this campus” in a sentence about explaining u.s. college and university terms.
Phrase cheat sheet
All phrases at a glance
Review each expression, hear it, save it, or jump to where it appears in the video.
33 phrases
Showing 33 of 33 phrases
on this campus
Explaining U.S. college and university terms · expression
At the grounds and buildings belonging to the school being discussed.
Tone and use: Common campus-tour and directions language. Describe where facilities or activities are located at a school.
May not fit: For a large university with multiple locations, specify which campus.
Example“There are several libraries on this campus.”
offer undergraduate programs
Explaining U.S. college and university terms · collocation
Provide courses and degree programs for students pursuing their first university-level qualification.
Tone and use: Standard education and admissions language. Ask what levels or programs a school provides.
May not fit: Check the institution’s current program list; offerings can change.
Example“The university offers undergraduate programs in biology and design.”
within a university
Explaining U.S. college and university terms · expression
As part of, or inside the organizational structure of, a university.
Tone and use: Neutral organizational language. Describe a college, department, or school that belongs to a larger university.
May not fit: Not every institution uses the same organizational structure.
Example“The school of nursing is one division within a university.”
college student
Explaining U.S. college and university terms · collocation
A student who is enrolled in a college or university, especially in U.S. everyday usage.
Tone and use: Common American English; people may also say university student. Describe yourself or someone studying for a college degree.
May not fit: Use the institution’s preferred terminology in formal contexts, since college and university structures vary.
Example“My sister is a college student studying biology.”
choose what to study
Choosing a major and degree · expression
Select the subject or area of learning to pursue.
Tone and use: Plain academic planning language. Talk about selecting a major, course, or educational focus.
May not fit: Some programs have required pathways, so the available choices may be limited.
Example“I’m trying to choose what to study in college.”
focus on
Choosing a major and degree · phrasal verb
Give most of your attention or effort to a particular subject or goal.
Tone and use: Common academic and everyday expression. Describe a major, research topic, or priority.
May not fit: If you mean formally specializing, use the program’s official term, such as major in or specialize in.
Example“She plans to focus on environmental policy.”
while earning your degree
Choosing a major and degree · expression
During the period when you are completing the requirements for an academic qualification.
Tone and use: Neutral education language. Describe what happens during the time you work toward a degree.
May not fit: If you want to focus on the outcome, say earn a degree in a subject.
Example“She worked part-time while earning her degree.”
with my BSN
Remembering nursing school · expression
With the Bachelor of Science in Nursing qualification that the speaker earned.
Tone and use: Personal, conversational way to identify an academic credential. Explain which degree you completed or are talking about.
May not fit: Spell out an unfamiliar abbreviation the first time in a formal context.
Example“I finished the program with my BSN.”
easy to understand
Remembering nursing school · expression
Clear enough that someone can follow or comprehend it without much difficulty.
Tone and use: Common feedback about teaching, explanations, or instructions. Describe a teacher or explanation that makes complex material clear.
May not fit: For specific feedback, say what helped make it clear.
Example“The professor made the statistics lesson easy to understand.”
earn a doctorate
Addressing teachers and professors · collocation
Complete advanced study and receive a doctoral degree.
Tone and use: Formal education language. Describe attaining a PhD or another doctoral qualification.
May not fit: A doctorate is not required for every teaching or professor position; requirements vary.
Example“She plans to earn a doctorate in public health.”
raise your hand
Addressing teachers and professors · expression
Lift one hand to signal that you want to speak or ask a question.
Tone and use: Common classroom instruction, especially in school settings. Ask to contribute in a class or meeting where people take turns.
May not fit: In a small discussion, you may simply wait for a pause and speak.
Example“Raise your hand if you have a question.”
from out of town
Finding campus buildings and student housing · expression
From a different city or area, usually visiting rather than living nearby.
Tone and use: Conversational American English. Describe a visitor who has traveled from another place.
May not fit: For international or long-distance travel, name the place if it matters.
Example“My cousins are visiting from out of town.”
stay at the dorms
Finding campus buildings and student housing · expression
Live or lodge in student residence buildings on or near a campus.
Tone and use: Casual campus language; dorms is a shortened form of dormitories. Talk about student housing during a term or school year.
May not fit: Housing names and availability vary; use the institution’s official term when arranging a room.
Example“First-year students can apply to stay at the dorms.”
save money
Describing dorm life · expression
Spend less or keep money for later use.
Tone and use: Very common everyday phrase. Explain a reason for choosing a less expensive option.
May not fit: If comparing costs, mention the trade-offs as well as the savings.
Example“I lived with family to save money while I studied.”
career path
Exploring medicine and career paths · collocation
A sequence of education, training, and jobs that can lead toward a type of work.
Tone and use: Common career-planning language. Discuss what someone may do after a degree or qualification.
May not fit: People’s careers can change; a path is one possible route, not a guarantee.
Example“She is exploring a career path in emergency medicine.”
my major in undergrad
Interviewing a pharmacy student · expression
The main subject someone studied during an undergraduate program.
Tone and use: Informal American academic language; undergrad is a shortened form of undergraduate. Tell someone the subject you focused on during your first university degree.
May not fit: Use undergraduate major in formal writing or when speaking to someone unfamiliar with the abbreviation.
Example“My major in undergrad was economics.”
super supportive
Interviewing a pharmacy student · expression
Very encouraging and willing to help.
Tone and use: Informal and emphatic; super intensifies supportive. Give warm, conversational praise to a person or group that helped you.
May not fit: For formal references or evaluations, use a more specific professional description.
Example“My classmates were super supportive during finals.”
pass your exams
Law school, lawyers, and attorneys · expression
Achieve the required result on tests or examinations.
Tone and use: Common education phrase. Talk about completing a required exam successfully.
May not fit: Passing an exam may be only one part of earning a license or qualification.
Example“After you pass your exams, you can apply for the next stage.”
licensed to practice law
Law school, lawyers, and attorneys · expression
Officially authorized under local rules to provide legal services as a lawyer or attorney.
Tone and use: Formal professional wording. Discuss the licensing requirements for legal practice.
May not fit: Requirements depend on jurisdiction; completing a degree alone may not grant a license.
Example“She is licensed to practice law in New York.”
class in session
Auditoriums and class participation · expression
A class is currently taking place.
Tone and use: Standard school and campus wording. Explain that a class is underway and people should avoid interrupting.
May not fit: For a more casual notice, say class is happening right now.
Example“Please keep your voice down; there’s a class in session.”
last row
Auditoriums and class participation · collocation
The final line of seats at the back of a classroom or auditorium.
Tone and use: Neutral seating vocabulary. Describe where you are sitting or give directions in a lecture hall.
May not fit: If rows are numbered, give the row number for precision.
Example“We found seats together in the last row.”
a ton of
Design studies and academic years · expression
A large number or amount of something.
Tone and use: Informal emphasis; not a literal measurement here. Casually describe having many choices or a lot of work.
May not fit: In formal writing or precise reporting, use many, numerous, or an exact amount.
Example“There are a ton of electives to choose from.”
from the start to the finish
Design studies and academic years · expression
Throughout the entire process, from its beginning until its end.
Tone and use: Common phrase for describing a complete process. Talk about following an idea, project, or event through all its stages.
May not fit: If you only took part in one stage, specify which part.
Example“The designer guided the collection from the start to the finish.”
come to life
Design studies and academic years · idiom
Become vivid, real, or fully developed; often describes an idea taking shape.
Tone and use: Positive and expressive. Describe a design or plan becoming visible as a finished creation.
May not fit: For a literal event or a technical report, describe exactly what changed.
Example“The sketches came to life in the final collection.”
custom tailored
Fashion studios and career plans · expression
Made or adjusted specifically for an individual rather than produced in a standard fit.
Tone and use: Clothing and fashion language; often written custom-tailored as a compound modifier. Describe a garment made to fit a particular person.
May not fit: Do not assume every item described as custom is fully made to measure; ask what adjustments are included.
Example“He ordered a custom-tailored suit for the wedding.”
interned on
Fashion studios and career plans · expression
Worked as an intern as part of a particular team or project.
Tone and use: Common workplace language; “interned with” is also frequent for an organization or supervisor. Describe the team or project where you completed an internship.
May not fit: Use “interned at” for an organization or location if you are not naming a team.
Example“He interned on the marketing team last summer.”
head to the football stadium
Campus sports and recreation · expression
Go toward or travel to the football stadium.
Tone and use: Conversational and common in directions. Announce the next destination during a tour or outing.
May not fit: For a formal itinerary, use proceed to or give the exact location.
Example“After class, we’ll head to the football stadium.”
in state
Tuition, scholarships, and financial aid · collocation
From the same state as a public university, often used for a tuition category.
Tone and use: American education and residency language; eligibility rules vary. Compare tuition categories for residents and nonresidents.
May not fit: Do not assume living in a state automatically qualifies someone; check the school’s current residency rules.
Example“The in-state tuition rate is lower for eligible residents.”
out of state
Tuition, scholarships, and financial aid · expression
From or located in a different U.S. state than the one being discussed.
Tone and use: Common American English phrase; tuition context may have a formal residency definition. Describe a student who comes from another state.
May not fit: For tuition, use the university’s current definition of out-of-state residency.
Example“She moved here from out of state to attend college.”
apply for a scholarship
Tuition, scholarships, and financial aid · expression
Submit an application to be considered for money awarded to support education.
Tone and use: Standard financial-aid language. Ask about or describe seeking scholarship funding.
May not fit: Review eligibility, deadlines, and whether the award must be renewed.
Example“I plan to apply for a scholarship before the deadline.”
full ride scholarship
Tuition, scholarships, and financial aid · collocation
A scholarship that may cover most or all specified costs of attending school, depending on its terms.
Tone and use: Informal U.S. education phrase. Talk about a large scholarship package.
May not fit: Check the actual award letter; what is covered varies and the label does not always mean every expense is paid.
Example“She received a full-ride scholarship, but checked whether housing was included.”
cover part of your tuition
Tuition, scholarships, and financial aid · expression
Pay for some, but not all, of the amount charged for instruction.
Tone and use: Common financial-aid phrasing. Explain how a scholarship, grant, or benefit contributes to school costs.
May not fit: Confirm whether the award covers tuition only or additional fees too.
Example“The grant will cover part of your tuition this year.”
per semester
Tuition, scholarships, and financial aid · expression
For each academic term or semester.
Tone and use: Common school billing and scheduling language. Compare a recurring amount charged or awarded each term.
May not fit: Academic calendars differ; confirm how many terms are included in a year.
Example“The lab fee is charged per semester.”
Knowledge check
Practice the phrases you heard
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Use it in a sentence · “college student”
Which sentence naturally describes someone studying at a U.S. university?