Download 30 “ask the teacher” lessons
If you hear American students talk about being a freshman or senior, what does that mean?
These words describe the year or level of a student in high school or college/university in the United States.
Freshman = 1st Year
-
High school (9th grade) or college (1st year).
-
She’s a freshman in high school.
-
He’s a freshman at college this year.
Sophomore = 2nd Year
-
High school (10th grade) or college (2nd year).
-
My brother is a sophomore now.
-
Sophomore students often choose more advanced classes.
Junior = 3rd Year
-
High school (11th grade) or college (3rd year).
-
I was a junior when I joined the soccer team.
-
Juniors are preparing for college entrance exams.
Senior = 4th Year
-
High school (12th grade) or college (4th year).
-
The seniors are getting ready to graduate.
-
She’s a college senior majoring in biology.
Quick Notes
-
These terms are used only in the U.S. system. In most other countries, people just say first year, second year, etc.
-
In everyday speech, senior can also mean an older person (👵), but in school/university contexts it always means final-year student.
✅ Summary
-
Freshman = 1st year of high school / college
-
Sophomore = 2nd year of high school / college
-
Junior = 3rd year of high school / college
-
Senior = 4th year of high school / college
