Whether you're a student yourself or just want to talk about education in English, knowing school-related vocabulary makes everything easier. These 50 words pop up in conversations about classes, homework, and academic life all the time. Let's break them down so you can use them with confidence.

General School Terms

1. Classroom

This is the room where teaching happens. Simple enough, right?

  • Our classroom has big windows on the left side.
  • The teacher asked everyone to stay in the classroom during lunch.
  • I left my notebook in the classroom yesterday.

Tip: Remember it's one word, not "class room."

2. Assignment

Work that your teacher gives you to complete, usually at home.

  • We have three assignments due next Monday.
  • The math assignment took me two hours to finish.
  • Did you understand the assignment from yesterday's class?

Tip: This sounds more formal than "homework"—teachers use it a lot in instructions.

3. Syllabus

The plan or outline showing what you'll learn in a course.

  • Check the syllabus to see when the final exam is.
  • Our syllabus says we're covering poetry next week.
  • The professor handed out the syllabus on the first day.

Tip: Pronounce it "SIL-uh-bus," not "sil-LAB-us."

4. Semester

Half of a school year, usually 15-18 weeks.

  • I'm taking five classes this semester.
  • Next semester starts in January.
  • Last semester was really tough for me.

Tip: Some schools use "term" or "quarter" instead, but semester is most common in universities.

5. Lecture

A teaching session where the instructor talks and students listen and take notes.

  • Today's lecture was about World War II.
  • I recorded the lecture so I could review it later.
  • She always arrives late to the morning lecture.

Tip: This is different from a "class"—lectures are usually more one-directional.

Study Activities

6. Review

To look at material again to remember it better.

  • I need to review my notes before the quiz.
  • Let's review what we learned last week.
  • She spent Sunday reviewing vocabulary words.

Tip: You "review" material, but you "revise" in British English (which can mean the same thing).

7. Cram

To study a lot of information in a short time, usually right before a test.

  • I stayed up all night cramming for the chemistry exam.
  • Don't cram—it's better to study a little each day.
  • He's cramming vocabulary words on the bus.

Tip: This is informal and suggests you're not well-prepared.

8. Memorize

To learn something so well you can recall it without looking.

  • We have to memorize all 50 states and capitals.
  • I can't memorize formulas—I need to understand them first.
  • She memorized her speech in just two days.

Tip: Say "MEM-or-ize," with stress on the first syllable.

9. Take notes

To write down information while listening or reading.

  • I take notes on my laptop during lectures.
  • Can I borrow your notes from yesterday's class?
  • She takes really organized notes with different colors.

Tip: This is always plural—"take note" means something different.

10. Highlight

To mark important text with a bright color.

  • I highlight key terms in my textbook.
  • Don't highlight everything—just the main ideas.
  • She used yellow to highlight definitions.

Tip: The tool is called a "highlighter."

Assessment Words

11. Quiz

A short test, usually covering recent material.

  • We have a pop quiz every Friday.
  • The quiz only had ten questions.
  • I forgot about the quiz until this morning.

Tip: "Pop quiz" means a surprise quiz with no warning.

12. Midterm

An exam given in the middle of the semester or term.

  • Midterms are next week, so I'm studying every day.
  • The midterm covers chapters 1 through 8.
  • I did better on the midterm than I expected.

Tip: Can be one or two words: "midterm" or "mid-term."

13. Final (exam)

The last exam of a course, usually covering everything you learned.

  • Finals start on December 15th.
  • My hardest final is biology.
  • Are you ready for finals week?

Tip: Students often just say "finals" to mean all their end-of-semester exams.

14. Grade

The score or mark you receive on your work.

  • What grade did you get on the essay?
  • My grades went up this semester.
  • She always gets good grades in English.

Tip: In the US, letter grades are A, B, C, D, F. In other countries, numbers are more common.

15. Pass

To successfully complete a course or test.

  • I need a 70% to pass the class.
  • Did you pass your driving test?
  • He passed with flying colors.

Tip: The opposite is "fail."

School Materials

16. Textbook

The main book used for a course.

  • Our history textbook weighs five pounds.
  • I bought a used textbook to save money.
  • Open your textbooks to page 42.

Tip: One word, not "text book."

17. Notebook

A book of blank pages for writing notes.

  • I use a different notebook for each subject.
  • My notebook is full—I need a new one.
  • She has neat handwriting in her notebooks.

Tip: A "laptop" is also called a "notebook computer," but context makes it clear.

18. Binder

A folder with rings to hold loose papers.

  • I keep all my handouts in a three-ring binder.
  • My binder is so full it won't close.
  • Organize your notes in a binder by date.

Tip: Mainly used in North America—other places might say "ring binder" or "folder."

19. Calculator

A device for doing math.

  • You can't use a calculator on this test.
  • I forgot my calculator at home.
  • Scientific calculators can do more complex operations.

Tip: Say "CAL-cue-lay-tor."

20. Backpack

A bag you carry on your back for books and supplies.

  • My backpack is really heavy today.
  • I left my backpack in my locker.
  • She has a red backpack with her name on it.

Tip: Also called a "bookbag" in some regions.

People at School

21. Principal

The head of a school (not a teacher).

  • The principal announced a new dress code.
  • Our principal knows every student's name.
  • I had to go to the principal's office.

Tip: Don't confuse with "principle" (a rule or belief)—remember "the principal is your pal."

22. Classmate

Someone in your class.

  • My classmates helped me study for the test.
  • I made friends with a classmate from Italy.
  • We're working with classmates on a group project.

Tip: This is more natural than "class friend."

23. Tutor

Someone who gives you extra help with schoolwork, usually one-on-one.

  • I hired a tutor for chemistry.
  • She tutors students in math after school.
  • My tutor helped me raise my grade from a C to a B.

Tip: Can be a noun or verb: "I have a tutor" or "She tutors me."

24. Roommate

Someone you share a room with, especially in college.

  • My roommate snores really loudly.
  • I'm looking for a roommate for next semester.
  • We became roommates our freshman year.

Tip: If you share an apartment but have separate bedrooms, they're "housemates" or "flatmates."

25. Professor

A university teacher, especially one with a high academic rank.

  • Professor Chen teaches modern literature.
  • Our professor extended the deadline.
  • I emailed my professor about the assignment.

Tip: In college, use "professor" instead of "teacher."

Academic Actions

26. Enroll

To officially register for a course or school.

  • I enrolled in a photography class.
  • You need to enroll before the deadline.
  • She's enrolled at State University.

Tip: Also spelled "enrol" in British English.

27. Drop (a class)

To stop taking a course after it has started.

  • I dropped physics because it was too hard.
  • The last day to drop a class is Friday.
  • He dropped two classes this semester.

Tip: Different from "fail"—dropping is a choice.

28. Major (in)

The main subject you study in college.

  • I'm majoring in computer science.
  • What's your major?
  • She changed her major three times.

Tip: Your "major" is your main subject; your "minor" is your secondary subject.

29. Graduate

To complete your studies and receive a degree or diploma.

  • I graduate next May.
  • She graduated with honors.
  • After you graduate, what will you do?

Tip: The ceremony is called "graduation."

30. Research

To study something carefully to learn more about it.

  • I'm researching climate change for my paper.
  • The professor researches ancient languages.
  • We need to research three sources for the project.

Tip: Stress the second syllable: "re-SEARCH."

Time and Scheduling

31. Deadline

The last day or time you can submit something.

  • The deadline for the essay is midnight tonight.
  • Can you extend the deadline?
  • I always finish things right before the deadline.

Tip: If you miss it, your work is "late" or "overdue."

32. Schedule

Your plan showing when your classes or activities happen.

  • My schedule is packed on Tuesdays.
  • What's your class schedule this semester?
  • I need to check my schedule before making plans.

Tip: Americans say "SKED-jool," British say "SHED-yool."

33. Recess

A break time for children at school, usually to play outside.

  • The kids go outside for recess after lunch.
  • It's raining, so recess is in the gym today.
  • Recess is my favorite part of the day.

Tip: Mainly for elementary school—older students have "break" or "lunch."

34. Absence

When you're not at school or class.

  • Three absences and you fail the class.
  • Please excuse my absence yesterday—I was sick.
  • The teacher marks absences in the grade book.

Tip: The adjective is "absent"—"I was absent."

35. Attendance

Being present at school or class; also the record of who's there.

  • Attendance is mandatory.
  • The teacher takes attendance at the start of class.
  • Good attendance improves your grade.

Tip: The opposite of "absence."

Study Spaces

36. Library

A place with books and resources for reading and studying.

  • I study at the library every afternoon.
  • The library has computers you can use.
  • Be quiet in the library.

Tip: Say "LIE-brer-ee" or "LIE-bree"—the first R is often dropped in speech.

37. Cafeteria

The dining area where students eat meals.

  • The cafeteria serves lunch from 11 to 1.
  • Meet me in the cafeteria after class.
  • Cafeteria food isn't great, but it's cheap.

Tip: Sometimes called the "lunchroom" or just "cafe."

38. Dormitory

A building where students live at college.

  • I lived in a dormitory my first year.
  • The dormitory has a common room on each floor.
  • Her dormitory is right next to the library.

Tip: Usually shortened to "dorm."

39. Auditorium

A large room for assemblies, performances, or big lectures.

  • The graduation ceremony is in the auditorium.
  • We watched a documentary in the auditorium today.
  • The auditorium seats 500 people.

Tip: Say "aw-dih-TOR-ee-um."

40. Laboratory

A room for scientific experiments.

  • We're doing dissections in the biology laboratory.
  • Safety goggles are required in the laboratory.
  • The chemistry laboratory smells weird today.

Tip: Usually just called "lab."

Academic Concepts

41. Curriculum

The subjects and content taught in a school or course.

  • The curriculum includes math, science, and history.
  • Our school is updating its English curriculum.
  • This topic isn't in the curriculum.

Tip: Plural is "curricula" or "curriculums."

42. Elective

A course you choose to take (not required).

  • I'm taking art as an elective.
  • You need three electives to graduate.
  • Music and drama are popular electives.

Tip: Opposite of "required course" or "core class."

43. Credit

A unit measuring completed coursework.

  • You need 120 credits to graduate.
  • This class is worth three credits.
  • I'm taking 15 credits this semester.

Tip: Also called "credit hours" or "units."

44. Prerequisite

A course you must take before another course.

  • Algebra is a prerequisite for calculus.
  • What are the prerequisites for this class?
  • I can't enroll because I haven't taken the prerequisite.

Tip: Say "pree-REK-wih-zit."

45. Scholarship

Money given to a student to help pay for education.

  • She received a full scholarship to Stanford.
  • I'm applying for three scholarships.
  • The scholarship covers tuition and books.

Tip: Different from a "loan"—you don't have to pay it back.

Study Methods

46. Flash cards

Small cards with a question on one side and the answer on the other.

  • I made flash cards for all the vocabulary words.
  • Flash cards help me memorize dates.
  • Quiz me with these flash cards.

Tip: Two words, not one.

47. Study group

A small group of students who study together.

  • Our study group meets every Wednesday.
  • Want to join my study group for the final?
  • Study groups make learning more fun.

Tip: Also just called a "study session."

48. All-nighter

Staying awake all night to study.

  • I pulled an all-nighter before the history exam.
  • All-nighters aren't healthy, but sometimes you have no choice.
  • This is my third all-nighter this month.

Tip: Very informal—means you didn't sleep at all.

49. Outline

A plan showing the main points of an essay or project.

  • Write an outline before you start your paper.
  • My outline has three main sections.
  • The teacher asked us to submit an outline first.

Tip: Can be a noun or verb: "I outlined my essay."

50. Plagiarize

To copy someone else's work and present it as your own.

  • If you plagiarize, you'll fail the assignment.
  • Always cite your sources so you don't plagiarize.
  • Plagiarism is a serious academic offense.

Tip: Say "PLAY-juh-rize." This is cheating and has serious consequences.

Practice Section

Try using these words in context. Fill in the blanks:

  1. I need to ___ for my Spanish test tomorrow. (study intensely)
  2. My ___ is packed—I have classes from 9 AM to 5 PM. (time plan)
  3. The ___ is due at midnight, so I need to finish soon. (last day to submit)
  4. I got a B on my ___, which covers the first half of the course. (middle exam)
  5. She's a ___ who helps me with calculus twice a week. (private teacher)

Answers: 1. cram, 2. schedule, 3. deadline, 4. midterm, 5. tutor

Wrapping Things Up

These 50 words will help you talk about school life in English with much more confidence. You'll hear them in classrooms, read them in course materials, and use them when discussing your studies with others. Here's what really matters: don't try to memorize all of them at once. Pick five or ten that you'll use most often, practice them in sentences, and build from there. The more you use these words in real conversations, the more natural they'll become. Next time you're talking about school, try slipping one or two into the conversation—you'll be surprised how quickly they stick.