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Discussion
Language level
A2 English level (pre-intermediate)
Hello Smiley1
In general, 'in' is often used with places that have a clear boundary (e.g. a city or country), 'on' is used for surfaces (including streets) and some kinds of transport, and 'at' for more specific locations or when we are thinking more about the activity we carry out in a place more than the physical place itself (e.g. 'at the chemist's'). There's a more detailed explanation on this Cambridge Dictionary page that I would recommend taking a look at.
As for, 'on campus' and 'on a farm', you could think of these as surfaces, though of course you could also think of them as places with boundaries. Often, I'm afraid, you just have to learn which prepositions are used with specific words -- and that is the case with these words.
All the best
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team