THE PATTERNS OF ADJUSTMENT OF NEWLY ADMITTED UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS TO CAMPUS LIFE IN AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA (ABU)
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Date
2016-06-23
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Ahmadu Bello University Zaria
Abstract
This dissertation examined the patterns of adjustment of new undergraduate students to campus
life in Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. With the goal of identifying the common
stressors faced on ABU campus, find out adjustment patterns students adopt to tackle the stress
they face, Adjustment patterns in this study means methods which new students adapt to
stressors on ABU campus. The influence of selected factors such as socio-economic, gender,
emotional intelligence and attitude on newly admitted students‘ adjustment pattern in the
university was ascertained. A sample size of 370 students comprising 37 students from each of
the ten faculties on the main campus was used for the Survey. Multi-stage sample technique was
used, 10 Students class representatives and two staff from the Counseling and Human
Development Center of ABU Main campus Samaru, were interviewed. The Statistical Package
for Social Science (SPSS) version 20 for windows was used to aid in the data analysis and
further analyzed using Triangulation. The major findings indicated that the first year
undergraduate student‘s face a lot of stress referred to as study behavior problems as they resume
school on ABU campus these include: social-personal problems such as difficulty managing time
179(60.9%),overcrowding in lecture halls and hostels 169(57.5%),difficulty locating buildings
149(50.7%),accommodation problem 110(37.4%),poor sanitation 105(35.7%), lack of needed
guidance 102(34.7%), academic problem 77(26.2%) and financial problem 62(21.1%).The
patterns of adjustment included: participating during lectures 168(57.1%), attending lectures as
indicated by an overwhelming majority of 280(95.2%), while 274(93.2%) said they have defined
academic goals, and 247(83.3%) said they do and submit assignments on time. Furthermore,
some 251(85.4%) identified the love for course of study, however 222(75.5%) said develop
interest in learning, while a significant majority 201(68.4%) said balance extra-curricular
activities with academic work while 193(65.6%) said Pray and seek the face of God. From the
IDI‘s getting study part time jobs to solve financial problems, starting small businesses,
becoming triangular students to succeed academically, using library services, observing the new
environment, making friends with intelligent students, focus and working harder, attending
tutorials organized by seniors, engaging in group discussions, seeking and following advice from
parents, mentors, seniors and friends, attending orientation, following study time table and so
forth were the patterns adopted. Parental education and occupation will determine and influence
the new student‘s status, a large proportion 227(77.2%) said parents are their sponsors; this can
significantly influence the new student‘s adjustment patterns positively. A larger proportion of
the newly admitted undergraduate students 167(56.8%) had a somewhat successful (moderate)
pattern of adjustment to campus life while 108(36.7%) had a very successful pattern of
adjustment to campus life, only 30(10.2%) pattern of adjustment to campus life was not
successful. In view of the difficulties new students experience the study recommends that new
students adjust their patterns to always reach their destination by interacting with peers, seniors
and following good advice of role models‘ positive footsteps and significant others. The system
of welcoming new students at the school gate that was the order in time past could be
reintroduced. These will ease new students stress on campus in areas like locating of buildings
and offices as they arrive. More hostels built and those on ground that are in bad condition
rehabilitated, to aid students‘ accommodation problems and make campus life more conducive
and hygienic. Orientation programs should be done early to communicate both what is expected
of students and what they should expect during their first year of university life