The struggle to adjust to college or university life in the US is not only material and emotional for international students, but also linguistic.

Campuses have their own language: a confection of catchphrases, slang and punchlines. Lording over these are certain perennial English idioms that define the US college experience, such as to:

• Play hooky: an undergraduate specialty, this means to skip class
• Hit the books: the opposite of playing hooky – studying
• Ace the exam: to pass an exam without difficulty (thanks to hitting the books!)

Besides academic expressions, there are various English idioms that color social life around campus:

• Sit shotgun: a car’s coveted passenger seat (prime late-night real-estate)
• Go out on the town: going to bars, restaurants, clubs, etc. with friends (in other words, a typical college weekend)
• Draw a blank: the aftermath of going out on the town, this means being unable to remember something
• A piece of cake: said of something that’s easy

Some English idioms are guaranteed to come only from parents. These aren’t the most memorable, but they are the truest:

• Money doesn’t grow on trees: meaning cash is hard to come by, so keep your nights out on the town in check
• The early bird catches the worm: be organized, motivated and alert and you’ll reap rewards (admittedly, not a piece of cake)

College is intimidating, but even something as simple as a shared language eases anxiety. And make no mistake: every campus has a vocabulary all its own. Enjoy the journey, but remember:

• Don’t bite off more than you can chew: don’t take on responsibilities you can’t fulfill, or you may find yourself playing hooky all too often!

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