It can also be used more generally to describe someone who is new to a particular environment or activity, like a new employee at a company or a newcomer to a hobby.
Here's a breakdown of the usage:
* University/College: A "freshie" is someone in their first year of higher education. It's often used in a casual way, sometimes playfully teasing the new student.
* Other contexts: While less common, "freshie" can be used to describe anyone new to a specific setting. For instance, "He's a bit of a freshie at this job, still learning the ropes."
It's important to note that while "freshie" is a commonly used term, it can sometimes be seen as outdated or even slightly condescending. In some cases, it might be considered more polite to use terms like "freshman" or "new student" instead.