First-Gen Guide to College Lingo
You belong in the Pack, let us help you with the lingo.
Stepping onto a college campus is exciting, but it can also feel like entering a place where everyone else speaks a completely different language. From “bursar” and “syllabus” to Wolfpack-specific terms like “The Brickyard” or “Free Expression Tunnel,” college lingo shouldn’t stand between you and your success. We built this guide specifically for our first-generation students to strip away the confusion, break down academic jargon, and ensure you have all the insider knowledge you need to navigate your journey with confidence.
Places
Colleges
CALS
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
CHASS
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
CNR
College of Natural Resources
COD
College of Design
COE
College of Engineering
COS
College of Sciences
CVM
College of Veterinary Medicine
PCOM
Poole College of Management
WCOT
Wilson College of Textiles
Glossary
Academic Advisor
A professional guide who supports you in understanding your degree requirements, navigating university policies, and achieving your career goals.
Academic Calender
Published by the Registrar’s office each year, this is where significant dates about the opening and closing of the college, first and last days of classes and other important dates.
Academic Coach
A professional staff member at NC State who assists students in creating an individual plan for academic success.
Academic Probation
Status that indicates a student is in academic difficulty. Students are placed on probation when either their cumulative GPA falls below a 2.0 for one semester or when their semester GPA falls below 2.0 for two consecutive terms of enrollment.
Academic Suspension
A status that means a student is no longer allowed to enroll at NC State for at least one semester due to failure to meet minimum academic standards after being on academic probation.
Academic Year
The academic year consists of two terms or semesters: fall and spring.
Add/Drop Deadline
A timeframe, typically during the first two weeks of classes, in which a student can drop out of or add a course without impacting tuition cost or GPA.
Alumni/ Alumna/ Alumnus
People who have graduated from NC State. A female graduate is an alumna; a male or female graduate is an alumnus.
Assistant Professor
An entry-level faculty position typically held by individuals who have recently earned their doctoral degree.
Associate Professor
A faculty member who has advanced from the rank of Assistant Professor.
Asynchronous
Classes can be asynchronous which means they do not occurring in real time. Students can log on at any time and participate in the discussion or watch videos or lectures.