University Life and Academic Vocabulary

A major (or a major subject)

A student's primary or specialized field of academic study.

To struggle with math

To experience difficulty or have a hard time understanding and doing mathematics.

To skate through

To pass or complete an academic subject effortlessly, without straining oneself or working hard.

An applied area (or an applied science)

A practical branch or applied discipline of science.

To acquire coherent and in-depth knowledge

To gain well-structured, solid, and comprehensive understanding of a subject.

To serve someone well down the road

To prove useful, helpful, or advantageous to someone in the future.

A sophomore

A second-year student at a college or university (in American English).