ABSTRACT
Recreation, which includes sporting activities, games, and leisure pursuits, plays a critical role in the lives of students by providing opportunities for fun, relaxation, and social interaction. For female undergraduate students, especially those in their early years at the University of Benin, engaging in recreational activities is essential for adapting to university life. These activities can ease the stress of transitioning to a new environment and foster social integration. This study aimed to assess the impact of recreational activities on the social life of female undergraduate students in the Faculty of Education at the University of Benin, focusing on three selected departments: Health, Safety and Environmental Education; Human Kinetics and Sports Science; and Communication and Information Technology. The study sampled 116 female students, randomly selected from a population of approximately 1,200, representing 10% of the total. Data were collected using a researcher-designed questionnaire, which was validated by experts and yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.78, indicating good dependability. The findings revealed that participation in recreational activities among the respondents was generally low, with the primary barriers being limited exposure to sports in secondary school and other personal reasons. Additionally, the study found no significant correlation between participation in recreational activities and academic achievement or stress-coping abilities. Based on these results, the study recommends that the University of Benin promote the importance of recreation through symposia, organize female-focused sports competitions, and conduct regular audits of sports facilities to ensure they are well-maintained and accessible. Furthermore, it suggests that strategies be developed to actively encourage female students to make greater use of these facilities. This research highlights the need for targeted interventions to increase participation in recreational activities, thereby improving the social life and well-being of female students.
