1) A study from 2008-2011 found that students with doubts about being at the right university or course were more likely to leave early and had a less satisfactory university experience than non-doubting students. 2) The study surveyed students in 2009 and tracked their progress, finding four groups - non-doubters who stayed, non-doubters who withdrew, doubters who stayed, and doubters who withdrew. 3) Doubters who withdrew reported the lowest satisfaction levels and doubts emerged before departure for almost 3/4 of students who left, suggesting departure was a gradual process rather than sudden. Reducing doubting and supporting doubting students could help optimize retention.