Abstract
Questionnaire and interview data were obtained from a sample of 129 students who voluntarily withdrew from their university course and a matched sample of 131 persisting students. The results of the study indicated that dropouts and persisters experienced similar problems whilst at university, yet reacted differently. Furthermore, dropouts appeared to have short-term rather than long-term goals; were disappointed in and dissatisfied with university; did not enjoy attending university; and were lonely and friendless.
Pressures to remain at university emanating from parents, peers, and their own personal and career aspirations were considerable, but nevertheless weaker for dropouts than persisters, whereas the stress generated by dropouts' unhappiness at university was great. Dropouts resolved the conflict by withdrawing from university.