First year

First year, or freshman, is a term, in an educational setting, often used to describe a student's status during their first year at an educational institution. It can also be used as a noun, to describe the students themselves (e.g. "They are first years").

United States

In recent years, "first year" has gained popularity as a result of its more descriptive name and gender neutral language. However, "freshman" is commonly in use as a US English idiomatic term to describe a beginner or novice, a first effort, instance, or a student in the first year of study (generally referring to high school or university study). Freshman is also another word to call a dumb person.cite web | author=Random House, Inc. | year=2006 | title=freshman | url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/freshman | work= [http://www.dictionary.com/ Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1).] | accessdate=12 August | accessyear=2007] New members of Congress in their first term are referred to as "The Freshman Senator" or "The Freshman Congressman" to suggest their lack of experience at their new position, no matter how experienced they were in previous business or government positions.

In a four-year education setting, students are typically classified as freshmen (first years), sophomores (second years), juniors (third years), and senior (fourth years), corresponding to their year of study. Beyond the fourth year, students are simply classified as fifth years, sixth years, etc. Some institutions use the term "freshman" for specific reporting purposes.cite web | author=Office of the Registrar | year=2006 | title=Glossary of Reporting Terms | url=http://registrar.wisc.edu/students/acadrecords/enrollment_reports/85_er_definitions.php | work= [http://registrar.wisc.edu/ University of Wisconsin-Madison] | accessdate=12 August | accessyear=2007]

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