When you need this
The first week at a university is one long introduction. You meet people in line for your student card, at orientation, in the dining hall and on your dorm floor. Everyone is new, so everyone is asking the same three things: your name, where you're from, and what you study.
That repetition helps you. You'll answer "What's your major?" twenty times in a week, so prepare one short, friendly answer and use it every time. A major is your main subject. In the US, a first-year student is a freshman; then come sophomore, junior and senior. British speakers say "first year" and "What are you studying?", and they call the university "uni". In the US, people often say "college" for any university.
Keep your answers short and hand the question back. "Biology. What about you?" keeps the conversation moving. A long answer can stop it.
Phrases
the honest opener in the first week; everyone understands it
asks if they are also in their first year
the standard question: what is your main subject
gives your main subject
you don't have a major yet; very common and fine
the second question, especially at an international school
asks where they live on campus
you came from another country to study
asks freshman, sophomore, junior or senior
asks if they started this term
a warm close to the first chat
a friendly invitation in class or the dining hall
Say it out loud
Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.
Practice · 3 min
Say the line that fits. Situation on the left, one natural line on the right.
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Say it today
Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.