Environmental and Psychological Influences of Residential Common Spaces on University Students

This project looked at ways in which college students use common areas in traditional residence halls. Previous research and theory shows that students' success is based on both their academic and social integration into a university. For students living on campus, residence halls play an integral role in both. In Spring 2007, I did a project in a research course which provided the foundation to frame this thesis. Using qualitative methods of site examination, interviews, long observations, and snap-shot observations, I collected information to understand how students use common areas. After a process of coding and data analysis, the themes that emerged from all the forms of data collection were territorial behaviors, the development of social networks, use of resources, study habits, activities, and multitasking. These themes, in conjunction with previous theory and research, provide groundwork for furthering the design of common areas and implications for further research.