THE ACADEMIC CONSTRAINTS OF STUDENTS LIVING IN DORMITORIES

A Research Paper Presented to The Faculty of the Language and Literature Department Institute of Accounts and Business Finance Far Eastern University Sampaloc, Manila

In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Subject ENG 2 Research Process and Product

Estrada, Cherry Ann G. Gomez, Raven V. Maniti, Hazel S. Polliente, Kimberly B. Reynoso, Lorraine B.

October 2008 TABLE OF CONTENTS Title Page Chapter I Introduction1 Background of the Study1 Statement of the Problem..3 Significance of the Study...3 Scope and Delimitation..4 Materials and Methods...4 Definition of Terms..5 Chapter II Review of Related Literature.6 Discussion.7 Chapter III Interpretation and Analysis of Results13 Chapter IV Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations.....26 Summary..26 Conclusions.26 Recommendations..27 Appendix Sample Survey Questionnaires.29 References..33 Page

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION A. Background of the Study College life has never been easy. Others have to live in

dormitories for their homes are far from universities. Such adversities brought about series of changes for students. Going to college and living in a dorm is a living and learning experience. It is the only time in a life of a student that he will be living with people of the same interest, goals and, fears. (http:www.collegeview.com/articles/CV/campuslife/life_in_dorm.html) As an abrupt event after high school, students begin to live independently. Struggle and stress usually occurs. Adjusting to college life is the first step in understanding how to live and face challenges on a daily basis.

(http:www.collegeview.com/articles/CV/campuslife/life_in_dorm.html) Getting used to a new campus, roommate, expectations, courses, and routine takes a fair amount of time and patience. By nature, we tend to resist change and struggle to hold on to familiar surroundings like the comforts of home, family and friends.

(http:www.essortment/all/collegestudent_phu.html) Being restricted in a dorm and at the same time pursuing college is a great experience. Problems arise as days go by. Noise has always

been the burden of students. And most of the time, students cannot study because of this. Still, any possible happening can be handled with patience. And if carefully practiced, a harmonious community could be achieved. Students encounter people with different personal histories and upbringings. As such, they have to be tolerant and open to their ways of living, opinions and habits. Acting rigid about such indifferences will only wreck ones thought.

(http://www.collegeboard.com/student/csearch/campus-life/79.html) Staying away from house is not just burying ones self in books. Students tend to have the time of their life studying and preparing for their exams along with growing up. There have been many a winners away from home and as such, if carefully handled, it would just be an easy way to do so. Living in a dorm presupposes a high degree of integrity, consciousness, cooperation and hard work for a bright future, good image and reputation of an individual. A steady transition to dorm life is possible if students will keep an open mind and allow themselves to be open to the possibilities that college dorm has to offer.

(http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1g1-165362490.html) The impact of the residential environment in theories of college student development is often emphasized. (Journal of the National

Collegiate Honors Council.) These research aims to discuss the

disadvantages attached to living in a dormitory to its mischievous effect on the students. The objective of this research is to prove that living in a dormitory is a great factor that affects the academic performance of the students.

B. Statement of the Problem This study aims to answer this question: 1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in dormitory

and how does it affect a students performance in school?

C. Significance of the Study College Students This study would be able to help college students know the prerogative and inconvenience of living in a dormitory as well its effects on their academic performances. Moreover, it would give them the idea on what are the possible instances that they may encounter as they move in a dorm. Professors Professors would benefit from this study as they would be able to understand that life in a dorm brings about difficulties to students. In lieu with that, they could better apprehend that the varying level of academic performance of the students is sometimes caused by the said factors.

Parents Knowledge of the study would help parents know the prejudicial effects of living independently to the academic afflictions of their children. They could further conceive then current situation of the children amidst their daily struggles. Future Researchers Giving emphasis on the academic performance of students confined in a dormitory could give the future researchers a great idea that they could also conduct similar studies with.

D. Scope and Delimitation This study focuses on interpreting the difficulties arising from living in a dormitory. Students learn to socialize with other people, meet new friends and adjust themselves to a new environment. This study aims to prove the direct relationship of the two variables given. The study limits the respondents comprising the Far Eastern University, Institute of Accounts and Business Finance (IABF) students who are living in a dormitory within the University Belt area.

E.

Materials and Methods This research employs a descriptive method since the

research emphasizes on the struggles of living in a dorm and it is detrimental effects to a students academic performance. Surveys were

used in conducting the research to be able to describe best the topic. To provide enough information, the questionnaires were based on the statement of the problem. Survey results were tallied and were compared from the previous studies. Information relevant to the study were gathered from several reference materials, research sources such as books, journals, periodicals, newspapers, and other online sources. Life in the dormitory is one of the most rewarding aspects of the boarding school environment. Courtesy, thoughtfulness, and respect are the essential requirements of dormitory behavior.

Chapter 2 Review of Related Literature Dormitories are center of social activities where students stay up late to talk, work on homework together, watch movies, and party. (Microsoft Encarta). According to Wikipedia, the term residence hall and dorm are often used interchangeably; however there is a difference between the two. An important objective of residence halls at a certain university is to provide not just a place to sleep, but also opportunities for personal and educational growth. According to a write-up in a website of Greatgapyears, living in a dormitory can be an eye-opening experience for those people who used to having their own room. Gapers who live in dormitories generally feel pretty safe, often because the only people living in the dormitories are other students or travelers or the same programs. Dormitories are all about communal living, but this lack of privacy often invites germs; a great way to protect one from these germs is to keep the personal care items to himself. Anything that touches ones body or requires a doctors prescription should not become group properly. (Ibid) There are different types of college dorm: the single-sex dorms, chemical- or substance-free dorms and special-interest or theme housing.

There

are

also

kinds

of

rooms:

single,

double,

and

suites.

(www.collegeboard.com) Blakely Louis Beals asserts that ones environment is a major determinant in ones emotional and mental state. C.M. Deasy states that Privacy is as important to dorm residents as it is to anyone else, but it is usually much harder to obtain. Dormitory or barracks living implies being surrounded by people. Being alone or sharing private time with someone else is normally not considered to be an option. If privacy is needed, it must be sought somewhere else. In this regard, dormitories fail to provide for an important human need.

Discussion Definition Dormitory typically refers to residence halls, which are sleeping quarters or entire buildings primarily providing sleeping and residential quarters for large numbers of people, often boarding school, and college or university students. (Wikipedia Encyclopedia). Typical dorms have a dining hall, television room, pay phone, computers or laundry facilities.

Comparison of a Dorm to a Home Accommodations of a dorm differ based on the structures of the facilities. Although tuition fee continue to rise every year, housing costing remain the same. Living in a dorm also have the added benefits of being

near the college campus, good study facilities and services, and being able to establish ones own mature survival instincts. Somehow, it has not always been the personal choice of a majority of students. This could be their first step in the real arena beyond school life. Home offers social, financial and mental security and more amenities where as living in dorms is a totally different scenario. Dorms come in varieties depending on the students choice of what will suit them best. Most of the time, single-dorms are always being chosen. As such, architectural matters might possibly affect a students behavior as ones environment clearly becomes a guiding factor on ones mental and emotional state.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Living in a Dormitory and its Impact on the Academic Performance of the Students The freedom accompanying college dorm life can be both a blessing and a curse. Homesickness is naturally felt for the first two or three weeks of adjusting to college dorm life. Students are entirely on a new environment. With just a split of time, there are no more curfews, no constant reminders to do home works, and no questions about where a student is going and who are they gonna be with. Finding an inexpensive way to keep in touch with family and friends can be a great way to smooth the said transition.

10

Sharing and trying new experiences with people from home can help dispel the feelings of isolation and loneliness. Students often learn that theyre not missing their families much. Experts agree that one of the best ways to cope with the loneliness is to get involved in activities. Allowing ones self to get bored lead to great depression and students have to make sure that they always have something to do. The more a student goes out of the dorm room, and the more they are likely to get out of college dorm life. As such, those activities lead students in meeting new people and develop friendships. The key thing is that patience is a virtue in college dorm life. Sharing a floor sometimes pose a problem with only one washer and dryer and only a few showers. As students go along, they are more likely to encounter similar problems as stated.

(http://www.collegeview.com/articles/CV/campuslife/life_in_dorm.html). Despite the obvious excitement of living away from home and amongst a whole new crowd of people-of both genders- to meet while away at school, such a set up is not its cracked up to be, especially for those people who arent used to it. Somehow, the advantages will allow students to gain something worthwhile from the experience despite the drawbacks. Privacy is as important to dorm residents as it is to anyone else, but it is usually much harder to obtain. Dormitory or barracks living

implies being surrounded by people. Being alone or sharing private time

11

with someone else is normally not considered to be an option. If privacy is needed, it must be sought somewhere else. In this regard, dormitories fail to provide an important human need. (http;//wring.fsu/edu/? q=node/120) Unfortunately, few steps are being taken to improve upon this. It often falls to individual residents to develop a system by which they can receive the necessary privacy. Even with the creation by those living in a residence unit of a system by which each individual can achieve privacy, it is hardly assured. One persistent problem of dormitory, and indeed apartment architecture is sound buffering. It is typically very easy for individuals in a residence hall to eavesdrop on their neighbors, inadvertently or not. The walls of a dormitory are typically not well designed to buffer sound from adjacent units. (http;//wring.fsu/edu/?q=node/120) Depending upon where a student goes and what he does during the gap year hell likely find himself living in any number of different accommodations. Using common sense when it comes to protecting Initially, new friends, locales and local Choices are carefully made.

valuables is still a good idea.

trends usually influence the students.

Strangers are usually ought to be avoided as they are thugs who could exploit ones initial vulnerabilities. Decorum is always maintained in the society that students are living in. Though college dorm appears to be worn out, it is a secure place for students. Being alone may induce some

12

adverse habits that should be avoided. These include not being clean, spending excessive time in side activities besides academics, compulsive spending and missing classes to name some. Students need not to be carried away and are to live within their budgets, for excessive spending habits lead nowhere. Add to this problems are related to local culture, and perhaps even danger of getting pushed down in the dumps due to loneliness or the vulnerabilities of a hostel environment. Students need to be logical in Fights, dislike and

terms of co-existing, shaping up and socializing.

irritation are part of living in a dorm but these are usually handled without getting into trouble. Students should apprehend that there are people other than their family with whom they share their space. As comfort levels with mates increase on the other hand, students can finally feel at ease. Its just that making acquaintance with almost all people meet is a good idea. Drama is inevitable, and a part of that being gossip. People like to stick their noses into others business and then talk. Complaining about this usually does very little good, since human nature cannot be deterred; as intolerable as it is, such behavior is, alas, unavoidable, unless one keeps to her-or himself, which is very hard to deal with.

(http://www.stateuniversity.com/blog/permalink/The-Disadvantages-toLiving-in-a-Coed-Dorm.html.)

13

Moreover, students need to avoid dorm-life scenarios such as latenight partying or an activity that will break rules. A good exit strategy will help avoid being part of anything that one does not really want to be involved to. (http://www.greatgapyears.co.uk./living-in-a-dormitory.html) The adversities stated employ a direct impact on the students emotional and mental state. Dormitory life is somewhat an instinct of survival.

Nobody can choose the perfect roommates. Everyone goes into that stage where things seem to be a mess. And in most likely situations, students are upset whenever they encounter such destructive thoughts or events. These disadvantages that include cramped living conditions,

non-appetizing food, sharing a room, and added living costs to boot are some of the factors that affect the academic performance of the students. Even if one doesnt go along very well with his peers, efforts to be civil should be made, since living with a person ones constantly fighting with can be pretty miserable. Dorm life will be far more tolerable, and even downright fun, when one gets to know those living around them. All the variables present with a students environment greatly affect his studies. From the stated privileges and disadvantages of living in a dorm, surveys were conducted and it revealed that majority of the students werent able to study well whenever any of these problems arise.

14

CHAPTER 3 INTERPRETATION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS

A. Going home

Survey reveals that out of 30 respondents, 7 or 23.33% visit their family once a week, 3 or 10% visit once every two weeks, 9 or 30% visit once a month and 11 respondents or 36.66% answered that they only go home during legal holidays and break. The results vary depending on the hometown of the student. Others are able to go home weekly for they are not relatively far from school, whereas for some, it would take them more than 3 hours to travel. And more often than not, the rest are still ought to travel for more than one day.

15

B. Missing family and friends

Do you miss your family and friends?

30 20 10 0 yes no no yes

For this question, all of the respondents answered YES. Most of the students suffer from homesickness. It has always been the problem of those who are studying and living far from their homes. This adds up to their burden as they consciously worry about their families and their lives that they have before. C. Concentration

= YES

= NO

YES 46.67%

16

NO 53.33%

46. 67% of the respondents said that they can concentrate in their studies whenever they feel homesick. According to them, it is just a

matter of focus. At first place, their main purpose is to study and so they need not to be distracted by such thoughts. However, 53.33% of the

respondents stated that they cannot concentrate as they become preoccupied with the feeling of homesickness. D. Kind of room

What kind of room do you prefer most?others,

single-person room two-person room four-person room others:depends on the price 0 5 10 15 four-person room, two-person room,

Number of Respondents

Sizes of the room in the dormitories are also being considered. The researchers asked on what kind of room the respondents are living in. The results show that 7 or 23.33% lives in a single-person room, 7 or 23.33% prefer in a two-person room, 15 or 50% of the respondents are living in a four-person room while the other one answered that it depends

17

on the price of the room itself

Such preferences are carefully made by

the students. For some, living alone in a room is much more convenient than being with two or more persons. Others find it boring or too lonely to do such, so maybe that lead them in choosing the other choices presented in the graph. On the other hand, aside from basically

considering ones personal choice, the room price needs to be checked too. E. Studying in a noisy environment

Can you review your lessons whenever your roomates are noisy?
Yes No 10%

90%

Out of the 30 respondents, 3 said that they can still review and even if their room its too noisy while 27 said that they cannot. This explains that students are getting more sensitive in their studying habits and needs silence to focus and do duties. F. Organization of things

18

Survey results show that out of 30 respondents, 93.33% were still able to be organized and an average of 6.67% were unable to do their personal tasks. These clearly explain that most of the students are really trying to live their lives independently.

G. Direct implication of living in a dormitory in the performance of student

50% of the respondents said that being confined in dormitory results to several factors that greatly affect their studies, either it is because of the new environment or with the peers involved around whereas 50% of the respondents believed that the former is not true. 19

H. House chores

Do you often feel tired because after school you still have to do house chores?
Num ber of Resp 50 0 yes no

22 or 73.33% of the respondents stated that doing such is a cumbersome work while 8 or 26.67% on the other hand said that it is just fine with them as they are left with any choice. Instead of studying after a long day, they are ought to finish first their responsibilities.
I. Washing of clothes

= 3 RESPONDENTS

YES

63.33%

NO

36.67%

20

Washing clothes is not that easy as 63.33% of the respondents do so who do so This depends on the students budget if this is a part of or sometimes, dormitory limits the clothes that they can wash there. 36.67% on the other hand who have excess budgets or those who are busy, they send their clothes to the laundry.

J. Time consumed in doing chores

How much of your time were consumed by doing house chores?
Number of respondents 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 av arage of 2 hours/day 4 hours a week othrers average of 2 hours/day 4 hours a week others

50% of the respondents stated that two hours of their time were consumed by doing household chores. This is possibly because they dont want to have all those things done just one whole day. 33.33% on

21

the other hand, answered that their time consumed depends on their schedule. 16.67% stated that they only do chores weekly. K. Mentor pressure

D oyou feel pressurein school?

40 no 20 yes

yes no

t d n p s R f o r e b m u N

Most of the students feel pressured in school due to mentor pressures such as the professors and other persons who are expecting them to excel well. This is carried out in their whole system and

sometimes, those who experience this have negative setbacks in their environment. For the others, they could have been enjoying their course or they are simply doing their school works easily. L. Peer pressure A

Do you feel pressured because of your peers?

25 yes no Number of Respondents 20 15 10 5 0

22

number of respondents answered most that peers affect their decisions. Sometimes, peer pressure is much more difficult to handle than mentor pressure. Their influence can either be good or bad. There have been many guidelines to be careful in choosing or in joining groups. If such peers would affect studies, necessary avoidance should be made.

M. Stress

D oesliv ingin a dormadd to your stress?

yes no 37%

63%

Respondents answer to the question varies depending on their experience in the situation. For some, this has always been in their

stress cause list as all things and eye are on them. Others consider this as a challenging one to be able to learn how to live life independently. N. Monthly allowance

23

How m uch is your allowance?

P hp 10,000 P hp 8000 P hp 6000 others

12 Respondent s 10 8 6 4 2 0 4 4 Number of

11

11

Budgeting has been a part of living independently. The money sent by the students parent depends on their needs and on what they can afford. Others have limited budget whereas for some, they have excess. Reasonable allowances have always been given to students. O. Sufficiency of allowance = 2 respondents Seventy-three percent of the respondents said that their allowance YES

NO

is sufficient to cover their needs and only 27% who said that their

24

allowance is not enough.

In this data, it can be inferred that many

students know how to budget and value the allowance they have.

P. Daily consumption

H owm uch isyour dailyconsum ption?

Php 200 Php 300 Php 400 Php 500

1 2 5 15

6 8 10 12 Num ber of R es pondents

14

16

Fifteen out of 30 respondents has a daily consumption of Php 200; five of Php 100; two of Php 300 and Php 400; and only one of Php 500. Base on this, Php 200 seem to be the ideal amount for the students

25

everyday expenses. expenditure.

This budget comprises related food and school

Q. Source of food

Where do you get your food?

17%

cooking by yourself buy outside

83%

83% depends on the food that can be bought outside and only 17% of them cook their own food. Most students living in a dorm finds

convenience in acquiring their food outside. They do not have enough time to prepare their own food due to busy schedules

26

R. Preference over dormitory and house

Wheredo you preferto live?

30 25 20 15 10 in house 24 in dorm

t d n p s R f o r e b m u N

5 0

80% of the students living in a dorm prefer to live in their own houses and only 20% want to stay in dorms. A lot of them could have suffered homesickness; as such, theres no such other perfect place to live in than to be in own house.

27

CHAPTER 4 SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

SUMMARY This paper attempted to determine the academic constraints of the students living in a dormitory. This research used the statistical treatment to answer the questions raised based from the results of the surveys. The research findings are the following: 1. The advantages of living in a dormitory clearly represent the

benefits attached to it. 2. Most of the time however, the disadvantages overrule all of this as

the option of living in ones own house has always been preferred.

28

3.

From the detrimental effects, emotional, psychological and mental

setbacks are seen in the students.

CONCLUSIONS Based on the findings of this study, the following conclusions are drawn: 1. Homesickness has always been the main problem of students

confined in a dormitory. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Students find it hard to adjust to their new environment. Students meet new friends along the way. Living with strangers is a great experience. The independence of a student is being developed. Peer problems cannot be avoided. Noise has been one of the factors that are always present in a

dormitory. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Noise brings about distractions in studying. Focus on studies is lessened as influenced by mates. Doing all things alone is not that easy. Chores add up to a students burden. From the factors stated, their academic performances are greatly

affected

29

13.

Poor academic performances are the usual results of these.

RECOMMENDATIONS From the conclusions of the study, the researchers make the following suggestions/recommendations: 1. lot of constraints are present, but what matters is on how he manages to cope without having harmfully affected his studies. 2. Dormitory life cannot be avoided especially for those who live far It depends on the student on how he will handle a dormitory life. A

from their homes. These have always been true as they are left with no choice. Preferably speaking, it has always been convenient to live in a home, so as not to take into considerations a lot of changing factors in ones live.

30

Appendix Name:_____________________ Level: ________ Age:____ Course:__________ Yr.

1.

How often do you go home to visit your family? ___once a week ___once every two weeks ___once a month ___others; (please specify)______________

2.

Do you miss your family and friends? YES___ NO___

3.

Can you focus on your studies whenever you feel homesick?

31

YES___

NO___

4.

What do you prefer most? ___single-person room ___two-person room ___four-person room ___others; (please specify)______________

5.

Can you review you lessons whenever your roommates are noisy? YES___ NO___

6.

Were you able to manage all of your things? YES ___ NO ____

7.

Does living independently affect your studies? YES ___ NO ____

8.

Do you often feel tired because after going home, you still have to do house chores? ( washing your clothes, preparing food,

arranging

other stuffs) YES ___ NO ___

9.

Do you wash your clothes?

32

YES ___

NO ___

10.

How much of your time were consumed by doing house chores? ___ an average of 2 hours a day ___ 4 hours a week ___ others; (please specify) ___________

11.

Do you feel pressured in school? YES ___ NO ___

12.

Do you feel pressured because of your peers? YES ___ NO ___

13.

Does living in a dorm add to your stress? YES ___ NO ___

14.

How much is your monthly allowance? ___ Php 10,000 ___ Php 8,000 ___ Php 6,000 ___ others; (please specify)__________

15.

Is your allowance sufficient to cover you needs?

33

YES___

NO___

16.

How much is your daily consumption? ___ Php 500 ___ Php 400 ___ Php 300 ___ Php 200 ___ Php 100 ___ others; (please specify)____________

17.

Where do you get your food? ___cook by yourself ___buy outside

18.

If you were to be asked, where do you prefer to live? ___ in a house ___ in a dorm

34

References: Books Gottesman, G. (1991). College Survival. New York: Prentice-Hall.

Internet Academic and Social Effects of Living in Honors Residence Halls. Retrieved August 4, 2008 from

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1g1-165362490.html Adjusting to a New Campus. Retrieved August 3, 2008 from http://www.essortment.com/all/collegestudent_phu.htm Advantages of Living on Campus in a Dormitory. Retrieved August 5, 2008 from http://www.eli.usm.edu/housing.htm

35

Dorm:

Pros

and

Cons.

Retrieved

August

3,

2008

from

http://www.universitylanguage.com/study-abroad-guide/homestayvs-living-in-a-dorm/ How to Survive Living in a College Dorm. Retrieved August 5, 2008 from http://www.ehow.com/how_2037313_survive-living-college-

dorm.html Living in a Dormitory. Retrieved August 5, 2008 from

http://www.greatgapyears.co.uk/living-in-a-dormitory.html Meagan OLeary-Buda. College Dorm Life. Retrieved August 3, 2008 from http://www.collegeview.com/articles/CV/campuslife/life_in_dorm.html Residence Halls vs. Dorms. Retrieved August 5, 2008 from http://housing.uoregon.edu/reshalls/ The Disadvantages to Living in a Coed Dorm. Retrieved August 5, 2008 from http://www.stateuniversity.com/blog/permalink/thecoed-dorm.html

disadvantages-to-living-in-a-

The Psychological Effects of Dormitory Architecture and Layout on Residents. Retrieved August 4, 2008 from

http://writing.fsu.edu/?q=node/120 Types of College Dorms. Retrieved August 4, 2008 from

http://www.collegeboard.com/students/csearch/campus-life/79.html

36