Female University Students' Experiences of University Dorms: A Qualitative Study

Studying at university, some students get a chance to experience and explore group life through the medium of dormitories. This paper studies female university students' experiences of university dorms using a phenomenological method. 24 students residing in female dormitories of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman were selected through purposeful sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Interviews were continued until saturation was achieved. Colaizzi method was used to analyze data. Findings showed that living in dorms entails challenges and opportunities at the same time. Learning to be independent, resilient, to have financial management, increased appreciation of family, as well as getting to know about different cultures and walks of life, various skills, order and responsibility plus, enhanced spiritual and religious beliefs. On the other hand, however, homesickness, mental pressures resulting from sharing a room with the wrong person, low quality canteen food, declined school performance and dysregulated sleeping hours were among the downside of living in dorms. Accordingly, college dorms can potentially serve as an educational and cultural spot to help college students actualize, as well as enhance, individual and social potentialities. However there are downsides to living in college dorms too. By precisely planning to take advantage of these potential points of strength and taking precautions for the weaknesses, one can hope for an improvement in the situation of college dorms.