Community college students are dropping courses at increasing rates at substantial costs to their institutions and themselves. Subsequently, numerous studies have been conducted to investigate this trend, the factors that influence it, and ways of reversing it. A recent study revealed that the most frequently cited reason for course withdrawal was job conflict--a factor over which the college has little control. Other reasons, however, were related to instruction, such as fear of not receiving a passing grade, inadequate prerequisite instruction, and dissatisfaction with course content and/or format. Attrition studies have also sought to discern patterns in the term in which students most frequently drop courses, faculty members' perceptions of the causes of attrition, the use of student support services prior to withdrawal, and course reenrollment. College withdrawal has also been the subject of several studies, which have shown that most of the reasons students give for dropping out of a college are not related to instruction, with major influences being job conflict and financial problems. Several ways of reducing attrition are recommended in the literature, including: (1) establish a testing program for guidance and placement; (2) promote student use of support services; (3) improve instruction; and (4) suggest staff consultations prior to course withdrawal. A bibliography is included. (AYC)