Perpetual student

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A perpetual student, also known as professional student, is a college or university attendee who re-enrolls for several years, typically more than what is necessary to obtain a given degree.

Reasons for such behavior include:

• time constraints (inability to devote full-time to studies due to a job or raising a family)
• indecision (changing one's major one or more times)
• the inability to find a job
• finding a time-consuming job
• pursuit of more than one degree.
• inability to accomplish the final thesis (Master's thesis)

Often, there is no goal of either degree or major. This term can have either a positive or negative connotation, depending on the person and circumstances.

A positive connotation for remaining in school for several years is the desire for learning, a philosophy for lifelong learning. The academic setting is viewed as the ideal environment for learning.

There are negative aspects as well. One is that remaining in the university campus setting provides refuge from the real world. You can avoid the pitfalls and responsibilities of real life by remaining in college. In this case, those who remain to avoid real life use the positive connotation's explanation as a cover to avoid their fear of leaving college.

[edit] Real Life Occurrence

Johnny Lechner has been attending the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater since 1994. He was expected to graduate in May 2006, but withdrew in an 11th hour decision. As of now, he has the credits to graduate with degrees in Communications, Liberal Arts, Theatre, Health, and Women's Studies. Therefore, one of his motivations for remaining in school is for multiple degrees.

In Finland, perpetual students are a widely criticised phenomenon. In 2004, 25% of students didn't have courses in the last year, mainly because of a job. Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen spent 10 years pursuing a 5-year degree.

[edit] Portrayal in Movies and Television

The 2002 film National Lampoon's Van Wilder tells the story of Van Wilder, a popular student who has been in college for seven years, with no plans to graduate.

The CW Network's program Girlfriends has the character of Lynn Searcy, who remained in school and received multiple post-graduate degrees.