The spelling of "former students" can be broken down using IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet). "Former" is pronounced as /ˈfɔː.mər/, meaning the stress is on the first syllable and the final "er" is pronounced as a schwa /ə/. "Students" is pronounced as /ˈstjuː.dənts/, with the stress on the second syllable and the "nts" pronounced as a voiced dental fricative /ðz/. Together, the phonetic transcription spells out the correct pronunciation of "former students" as /ˈfɔː.mər ˈstjuː.dənts/.
Former students refer to individuals who were previously enrolled in an educational institution but are no longer actively pursuing studies or attending classes in that particular institution. This term commonly applies to individuals who have completed their education at a specific school, college, university, or any other learning institute, and have graduated or moved on to another stage of their educational journey.
Former students can vary in terms of their duration and level of enrollment, ranging from those who completed a short-term course or program to individuals who obtained a high school diploma, an undergraduate degree, a master's degree, or a doctorate. They are typically considered alumni or graduates of the institution they were associated with during their period of study.
These individuals have previously undergone educational experiences and instruction in the given institution, and their status as former students typically grants them certain privileges, benefits, or affiliations with their alma mater. Such benefits may include access to resources, events, networking opportunities, career support, mentoring, or involvement in the institution's alumni association.
Overall, former students represent a diverse group of individuals who have previously acquired knowledge and skills from an educational institution, and have now transitioned into a different phase of their lives, be it professional careers, higher education, or personal endeavors.
The word "former" originated from the late Middle English term "former", which is derived from the Old English word "forma". This word stems from the Proto-Germanic word "formon", meaning "first" or "earliest". The term "students" has its roots in the Latin word "studentem", which is the present participle of the verb "studiare", meaning "to study" or "to exert oneself". Therefore, when combined, "former students" refers to individuals who were studying or exerting themselves in the past but have since completed their studies.