Kredi Ve Yurtlar Kurumu’na Bağlı Yurtlarda Kalan Üniversiteli Gençlerin İhtiyaçları ve Uyum Sorunları: Bir Nitel Araştırma

Abstract

This study aims to discuss the assessments of the college freshmen residing in the dormitories of the Higher Education Credit and Hostels Institution concerning their social, psychological, academic, accommodation needs as well as need for basic services, and adjustment problems arising in relation to these needs. In line with the results of the study, recommendations are presented to improve the services provided for the college students by the Credit and Hostels Institution and universities. In the study using a qualitative research model, 32 college freshmen residing in the dormitories of the Credit and Hostels Institution in Ankara were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. The interviews conducted with 17 male students staying in Tahsin Banguoğlu Men’s Dorm and a total of 15 female students staying in Şerife Bacı Women’s Dorm and Zübeyde Hanım Women’s Dorm were analyzed and interpreted in light of theoretical knowledge. The study results are discussed under two categories: needs and adjustment problems. The students’ needs arising from dormitory life and their freshman status are evaluated under the following titles: social and accommodation needs, psycho-social and academic needs, and health, nutrition, transportation, safety and economic needs. On the other hand, the adjustment problems of the students are assessed under these titles: personal and emotional adjustment, social adjustment, academic and institutional adjustment at the university. Accordingly, the study found that young people’s most important needs are as follows: a campus at the university and opportunity to make friends; increase in the number of washing machines, an infirmary, having carpet and sofa in the rooms, reducing the price of meals in the dormitory, staying with family, feeling the warmth of home atmosphere, emotional support from old friends, and earlier announcement of the credits and scholarships given by the Credit and Hostels Institution. ix On the other hand, young people’s primary adjustment problems are stress stemming from the changes happening in many areas of their lives and the necessity of taking responsibility for themselves in the process of being separated from family, stress resulting from living in a big city and the necessity to make a budget, distrusting other people, sleep problem and crying fit, feeling lonely, inability to see themselves as grown-up individuals, considering about being transferred to a university where their family is living, not finding themselves academically competent and not feeling like belonging to the university. Finally, the results of the study suggest that increasing the number of professionals employed in the Credit and Hostels Institution and universities will increase opportunities to provide professional support to young people, and thus, will enable to conduct more protective and preventive work for them.