We’ve all been there. You’re talking to that cool person you met outside one of your classes and suddenly they say a word you’ve never heard before - what do you do? Laugh nervously and hope it was a joke? Smile and nod along as if you can understand the complete and utter gibberish that’s coming out of their mouth? Well, worry no longer! Here’s a comprehensive list of every single piece of slang that you might hear around campus.
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#19
Generally, when someone mentions #19, they’re referring to the #19 tram to North Coburg that runs along Elizabeth St.
#59
Usually means the #59 tram to Airport West that runs along Elizabeth St.
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Academic Advising
Academic Advising matches you with an academic staff member in the second semester of your first year. They help you navigate your degree, take an interest in your wellbeing, and occasionally remind you to submit your assignments on time.
Academic Calendar
Think of this as your semester’s Google Calendar. It includes all the important dates - semester start, deadlines, exam periods, and official holidays (aka days you can sleep in guilt-free).
Academic Transcript
Your official report card for life. It lists your grades and achievements and is something you’ll want to look polished for job applications or future study.
Advanced Standing
Credit points you received for prior study completed at tertiary institutions other than UoM that can be credited towards your course here!
Alternative Exam Arrangements (AEA)
Granted to students who have special requirements for their exams - think extra time, separate rooms, or alternative formats.
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Baillieu
Pronounced “bail-you” (don’t worry, everybody pronounces it wrong), this word refers to the library situated right next to South Lawn.
Breadth
Think of breadth subjects as the university’s way of saying, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” It’s your chance (and your obligation) to step outside your degree’s bubble and try something completely different. Whether it’s dabbling in languages, testing your artistic flair, or finally figuring out what economists actually do, breadth subjects are here to spice up your timetable and make you a well-rounded genius! The world is your oyster :-)
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Census Date
The last day you can withdraw (drop out) from a subject without financial or academic penalty.
Chapel St
A very popular spot for clubbing.
Citation
Not just a way to sound fancy in essays - it’s how you reference other people’s work so you don’t accidentally commit plagiarism and get in hot water with the university.
Concession
Student discounts on things like public transport (hello, PTV pass) and occasionally food or entertainment if you flash your ID at the right places.
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Discipline
This generally does not refer to the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behaviour, using punishment to correct disobedience - instead, it describes non-compulsory, non-breadth classes that you must take throughout the course of your degree. Example: For commerce students, a discipline subject might be Principles of Management.
Deferral
A fancy way of saying “gap year”. If you’re not ready to start your degree straight away, you can defer your offer and begin later.
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Eduroam
The Wi-Fi network you can use not just at Unimelb, but at most other universities worldwide (flex your login credentials when you travel abroad).
Enrolment
Officially signing up for your course and subjects. Miss the deadlines, and you’ll be the one emailing Stop 1 in a panic.
ERC
The Eastern Resource Centre Library! Famous for its spacious lobby and close proximity to Zambrero’s.
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FBE
The Faculty of Business and Economics.
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Giblin/Goblin
Refers to the Giblin Eunson Library, located within the FBE Building (right next to The Spot).
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H1
The highest grade you can get at Unimelb; 80-100%. Very rare - if you see one in the wild, don’t make any sudden movements, lest you spook it.
Haymarket
The tram stop right outside the commerce section of campus. Always very busy. This is where you can catch the #19 and #59 back to Melbourne Central/Flinders St - or where you’ll get off if you’re catching either of them from Melbourne Central/Flinders St.
Hurdle
No, not the athletics event. A hurdle/hurdle requirement is a compulsory requirement in a subject that you must pass in order to pass the subject overall (generally the final exam).
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International House
The residential college for international students!
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Jaffy
Depending on who you hang out with, you’ll probably hear the word “jaffy” thrown about a lot. No, they’re not talking about jaffles or jaffa cakes - jaffy stands for “Just Another F*cking First Year”. While this sounds incredibly derogatory, it’s actually used endearingly (remember, everybody was a jaffy once!). Side note: when people talk about the “jaffy hoodie”, they mean the free one you get at your faculty’s commencement ceremony.
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Lecture
Hundreds of students in one big lecture theatre listening to a professor (lecturer) monologue about that week’s content, basically. Lectures can be quite interesting if the lecturer is engaging! I’d recommend scheduling them around the middle of your day (if you have them too early, you’ll eventually get tired of waking up early and stop attending them, and if you have them too late, you won’t be able to stay awake during them) for peak content absorbing.
LMS
Learning Management System - a.k.a. the platform used for accessing your course materials, submitting assignments, and checking grades. UoM uses Canvas for this.
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Midterm
An exam taken around the middle of the semester (week 6/7). Weighted much less than the final exam.
MyTimetable
The system used to organise and adjust your class schedule.
my.unimelb
Also known as the student portal.
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