The Residents of Campus Housing or other kinds of shared living The occupants of halls accommodations can differ greatly. On some campuses, first-year students have to live dormitories, so most dorm residents are of similar ages. In special interest housing building residents may have the same major (area of study), lifestyle, or cultural background. Even so, they will have a variety of interests, experiences, habits, personalities, attitudes, and preferences. Survival means "getting through the experience without harm." So what is most important for survival in shared living situations? It's good relationships! For "higher learning" at colleges or universities or in the larger community, not only students but also other adults need to relate to one or more roommates residents on the same floor, or occupants of the same building or area