College = no Ball Python. Help!

[DLena]

I'm sure my case isn't typical... I wanted a snake while in HS, had to wait until I was in my own place. Did college and worked, got a teaching job and worked summer USCustoms, got married to someone afraid of snakes, got divorced, single mother, ill mother moved in with me.... finally at age 53, I can indulge my passion. Life circumstances made me wait 35 years.
Right now, you don't know what life is going to require of you. But snakes are a 2 decade commitment and not as accepted as a dog, cat, guinea pig... if you can't leave it at home, or responsibly rehome it, with good care, it's better to wait until you control your situation.
As for long-term boarding... both sides start with best of intentions, but $10-20 a month gets tedious for the owner, and the boardee may get tired of dedicating a space to an animal that isn't theirs... or the snake could require vet care, or die... lots of issues.
I took in two boarders. Neither owner lasted more than 4 months before telling me to "just keep it"... and they aren't snakes I would choose for myself.
It's much better to wait.