Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the increasing trend of graduate students in China choosing to drop out of their programs due to overwhelming academic and psychological pressures, despite the expanding enrollment in master's programs [1][2][3]. Group 1: Statistics and Trends - In 2025, the number of applicants for the national master's entrance exam is projected to reach 3.88 million, with only 872,200 spots available, resulting in nearly 3 million candidates not being admitted [1]. - Approximately 500,000 students drop out of Chinese universities each year, with a dropout rate of nearly 3% among enrolled students [1]. - Among graduate students, the proportion of those who do not graduate on time is as high as 25% [1]. Group 2: Psychological and Academic Pressure - Despite the increase in graduate program enrollment, students face intensified academic and psychological pressures, leading to feelings of burnout and internal conflict [2]. - Many students, once seen as high achievers, find themselves unable to complete their research projects or theses, prompting them to consider dropping out [3][4]. Group 3: Personal Experiences and Decisions - Students who have dropped out report that their decision was not impulsive but rather the culmination of prolonged feelings of frustration and anxiety [3][4]. - The process of deciding to leave graduate school often involves significant emotional turmoil, with students feeling the weight of expectations from family and society [16][18]. - The transition from a focus on learning to a focus on research is challenging for many, leading to feelings of inadequacy and pressure [19][20]. Group 4: Social Dynamics and Environment - The laboratory environment is described as a space of interpersonal conflict and power struggles, contributing to the decision to leave [27][28]. - Students often feel isolated and unsupported in their research groups, leading to a sense of being overworked and undervalued [30][40]. Group 5: Aftermath and New Beginnings - After leaving their programs, students experience a mix of relief and uncertainty, as they navigate their new paths outside academia [47][50]. - The decision to drop out is framed as a reclaiming of personal agency and freedom, with students exploring new career opportunities and life choices [59].

以下文章来源于十点人物志 ，作者旺仔、三金 十点人物志 . 在这里，遇见每一个值得被记录的人 本文来自微信公众号： 十点人物志 ，作者：旺仔，编辑：三金、野格，原文标题：《研究生"退学 潮"：艰难上岸后，他们决定退学》，题图来自：AI生成 当越来越多毕业生选择通过考研延缓就业压力，名校研究生退学，听起来就像是一次掉队。 据统计，2025年全国硕士研究生考试报名人数388万人，计划招生总人数为87.22万人，这意味着有 将近300万人落榜。而在中国高校在校大学生 （包括本科硕博） 中，每年约有50万人退学，在校生 主动退学率接近3%。在研究生群体中，未按期毕业者占比高达四分之一。 近年来，尽管硕士研究生招生规模不断扩大，进入研究生体系的门槛相对降低，但学生面临的学业和 心理压力并未随之减轻。相反，在学术要求、就业焦虑与个体期待的多重夹击下，不少顶着名校光环 的研究生陷入持续的内耗与倦怠之中。 他们曾是被家人和老师寄予厚望的"尖子生"，如今却在课题中止、实验半途、论文未完的情况下选择 离开。他们为什么选择放弃？我们找到几位退学的研究生，想要了解他们在这个过程中的经历与思 考。 他们说，退学不是一时冲动，而是积攒许 ...

Core Points - The article discusses the increasing trend of graduate students in China choosing to withdraw from their programs, highlighting the pressures and challenges they face in academia [1][3][4] - It presents statistics indicating a significant number of students are unable to graduate on time, with one in four graduate students not completing their programs [2][3] - The narrative includes personal stories of students who have withdrawn, illustrating their struggles with academic pressure, mental health, and the expectations placed upon them by family and society [5][6][12] Group 1 - The number of applicants for the national master's degree examination in 2025 is projected to be 3.88 million, with only 872,200 spots available, leading to nearly 3 million students being unsuccessful [2] - Approximately 500,000 students drop out of Chinese universities each year, with a dropout rate of nearly 3% among enrolled students [2] - The pressure faced by graduate students has intensified despite an increase in enrollment opportunities, leading to feelings of burnout and internal conflict [3][4] Group 2 - Students who withdraw often do so after prolonged periods of distress, indicating that the decision is not made lightly but is a culmination of various pressures [5][12] - Personal accounts reveal that students feel trapped in their academic paths, often driven by external expectations rather than personal interests [14][22] - The article emphasizes the emotional toll of academic life, with students experiencing anxiety, insomnia, and a sense of inadequacy [15][49] Group 3 - The transition from undergraduate studies to graduate research is marked by a shift in focus that many students find challenging, leading to feelings of being overwhelmed [18][19] - The article highlights the competitive nature of graduate programs and the lack of support that students often encounter, contributing to their decision to leave [20][27] - The experiences shared by students illustrate a broader issue within the academic system, where the pressure to succeed can lead to mental health struggles and a reevaluation of personal goals [26][49] Group 4 - The withdrawal from graduate programs is framed as a form of liberation for some students, allowing them to pursue paths that align more closely with their personal values and interests [64] - The article discusses the societal stigma surrounding dropping out, contrasting it with the acceptance of pursuing higher education as a norm [63] - Students express a desire to redefine success on their own terms, moving away from traditional academic achievements towards more fulfilling life choices [60][64]