Personal Hostel Space Management Practices of Students: Case Study of Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State

This study focused on personal hostel space (PHS) management practices of students
in Delta State University, Abraka as a case study. Specifically, it determined: factors
that influence students’ management of their personal hostel space, guidelines
students adopt in planning their PHS; ways students arrange their PHS; challenges
students encounter; and ways students could enhance management of their PHS. The
study adopted survey research design. Population for the study was made up of 3,230
students from six university hostels. Instrument for data collection was a 4-point
structured questionnaire. Mean, standard deviation and t-test were used to analyse
data. Findings reveal nine factors that influence students’ management of their PHSs,
including, home environment and background (X̅ = 3.49, SD = 0.77), etc; nine
guidelines students can adopt in planning their PHS, including, setting a regular
cleaning schedule record (X̅ = 3.66, SD =0.63), and others. (X̅ = 3.34, SD=0.64). Other
findings are nine ways hostel space should be arranged including positioning the bed,
table, and cupboards for easy movement (X̅ = 3.55, SD=0.59), and so on. 14 challenges
(physical, health and social challenges) students encounter in managing their PHS
and eight ways students could enhance management of their PHSs, including,
arranging belongings neatly (X̅ = 3.25, SD = 0.62), maximizing limited space to reduce
congestion (X̅ = 3.18, SD =0.71), among others. Based on the findings, six
recommendations were including among others that students should come to hostels
with only essential and functional materials in order to reduce cluttering and that
they should cooperate with roommates to ensure cleanliness of their hostel living
space.