remain a student

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "remain a student" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to express the idea of continuing to be a student, either in a literal or metaphorical sense. Example: "Even after graduation, I choose to remain a student of life." Alternative expressions include "stay a student" and "continue as a student."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Jack Elway plans to remain a student at the college.

The New York Times

Are the courses so easy that a student can spend 10 hours a day online doing multitasking gambling and still remain a student in good standing?

The New York Times

Ms. McCray did say that Dante would remain a student at Brooklyn Technical High School should the family decamp to Manhattan — and she suggested that her husband might continue to help with transportation.

The New York Times

What emerges from the last seven weeks is a picture of a survivor: an intellectual lacking charisma or oratorical skill, but bold enough and determined enough to remain a student leader despite factional bickering and Government criticisms.

The New York Times

At a time when the competition for college admission is becoming more difficult, when the resources of states and universities are becoming more scarce, and when parents must make unusual sacrifices to send their children to college, Mr. Lechner's deliberate effort to remain a student at the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater is reprehensible.

The New York Times

The writing gets wilder and emptier: "I remain a student of history, more of one than ever, now that our century has torn its way out of its chrysalis and become too beautiful to be examined, too alive to be debated and exploited by played-out intellectuals.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Tom Livermore, PhD Student at University College London, says: While I recognise that there are advantages associated with employment, I believe that remaining a student provides significant benefits of its own and better reflects the training element of a doctorate.

The Guardian

The benefits of remaining a student outweigh those associated with employment.

The Guardian

Mr. Costonis did say that Mr. Dorhauer remained a student in good standing.

The New York Times

But he also remained a student, and he eventually became a teacher as well.

The New York Times - Arts

He remained a student in good standing, said Melanie Hanns, director of university communications.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

The phrase works effectively in metaphorical contexts, such as describing a lifelong learner or a humble expert who chooses to "remain a student" of their craft.

Common error

Writers sometimes insert the preposition "as" to create "remain as a student". While not strictly incorrect, "remain a student" is more direct and idiomatic in standard English because "remain" functions as a linking verb followed directly by a subject complement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remain a student" serves as a verb phrase where "remain" acts as a linking verb followed by the noun phrase "a student" acting as a subject complement. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it frequently follows modal verbs like "must" or "would" to indicate a necessary or hypothetical state of continuity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "remain a student" is a highly flexible and grammatically correct expression used to describe the ongoing nature of being an academic enrollee or a lifelong learner. Data from Ludwig shows that this phrase is deeply embedded in both academic regulations and philosophical writing. Whether used literally to discuss school enrollment policies or metaphorically to describe a humble approach to life and history, it maintains a clean and professional tone. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a "RESPONSE_YES" phrase, meaning it is widely recognized and appropriate for any writing context. To sound most natural, use it without extra prepositions like "as" and consider its various synonyms like "<a href="/s/remain+enrolled" target="_blank" rel="alternative">remain enrolled" for more technical or administrative clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stay a student

Uses a slightly more informal linking verb to convey the same meaning.

continue as a student

Emphasizes the duration and the specific role being performed.

remain enrolled

Focuses strictly on the administrative or official status in an institution.

maintain student status

Used primarily in legal, visa or administrative documentation.

continue one's education

A more formal way to describe the act of staying in school.

keep being a student

A more colloquial and continuous form of the phrase.

remain a learner

A broader term often used in self-improvement or pedagogical contexts.

stay in school

A common idiom often used as an encouraging imperative or to describe staying in the system.

persist in one's studies

Highlights the effort and determination involved in continuing education.

be a lifelong student

Adds a temporal dimension, implying a commitment to learning that never ends.

FAQs

How do I use "remain a student" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe ongoing enrollment or a mindset of learning. For example: "To succeed in this industry, you must <a href="/s/remain+a+student+of+life" target="_blank" rel="alternative">remain a student of life and stay curious."

What is the difference between "remain a student" and "stay a student"?

Both are interchangeable, but "remain" often feels slightly more formal. You might prefer "<a href="/s/stay+a+student" target="_blank" rel="alternative">stay a student" in casual conversation and "remain a student" in academic or journalistic writing.

Is "remain a student" formal enough for a resume?

Yes, it is perfectly appropriate. However, for administrative clarity, you might also consider using "<a href="/s/maintain+student+status" target="_blank" rel="alternative">maintain student status" or "<a href="/s/continue+one's+studies" target="_blank" rel="alternative">continue one's studies" depending on the specific point you are making.

Can I say "remain a student of" something?

Yes, this is a very common usage. For example, one might "<a href="/s/remain+a+student+of+history" target="_blank" rel="alternative">remain a student of history" to signify a deep and ongoing interest in the subject even after finishing formal education.