College = no Ball Python. Help!

[*SM*]

I want a BP, and I've done all the research and stuff, but my parents won't let me have one unless I can figure out what to do with it while I'm in college. Keep in mind this is YEARS away.
My little brother can take care of it for the first two years until he leaves, but I'll be gone for at least four years- most likely more. My parents refuse to take care of it while I'm gone. So far, my best option is my cousin who will be out of college by the time I'm in. But she might say no, and she lives across the country. I also refuse to put it or myself in danger by sneaking it in- I would sell it before that happens. I know that sounds totally terrible, but bad things can happen to people(and snakes) who do that. I would LOVE to find someone who could care for it for a few years, but I have no clue who.
I've read multiple threads already, and a lot of people suggest taking it to college anyway or leaving it with the parents. That won't work for me. Like I said, someone who could take care of it for a few years(science teacher, herp boarder, whatever) would be amazing. Any ideas?
Please help!
P.S. What is this about living off-campus? If I get a scholarship, I might be able to afford that after my brother goes to college. I'm not sure how it all works, though. I mean, I told you already that college is years away. My parents haven't told me what happens, yet.

[Bluebonnet Herp]

Simple. Just don't go to college.

Seriously though, just find an apartment that's lenient on small animals. I've managed to find out that some apartments are quite lenient on snakes even, just so long as you present yourself properly.

[chickenooget]

Hey I'm an incoming high school sophomore and I'll be facing this situation in a few years! If you can have a family member take care of it for a couple years then that's great. My older sister and her husband are going to take mine in for the first year or two, and by then I'm hoping to transition to an off-campus place.
Spend the first two years studying hard and saving up money, then find a snake-friendly apartment - with a roommate if you want to save money.

[PitOnTheProwl]

So wait..... In four years IF you still want one then you can get one.
The biggest part of animal ownership is putting their needs BEFORE our own.
If you know you cannot care for an animal before you purchase it then you are already set up to neglect that animal.

[Bluebonnet Herp]

So wait..... In four years IF you still want one then you can get one.
The biggest part of animal ownership is putting their needs BEFORE our own.
If you know you cannot care for an animal before you purchase it then you are already set up to neglect that animal.

Exactly why I never went to school

[Sauzo]

Then you dont get a snake until you're done with college. Simple as that.

[Craiga 01453]

Pit and Sauzo are right. It would be best to wait until you KNOW you can responsibly keep the animal 100% on your own.

Unfortunately, it is best to wait. If you want one so badly now, you'll still want one in a few years when the time is right.

[*SM*]

Thanks for all the advice! I'll take it under consideration.

[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.

[KayLynn]

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.

This is how I got my super pastel and my albino. Neither morphs are ones I would have picked personally, but I love them all the same. I'm actually pretty possessive over the albino. He had a lot of health issues when he came to me and I don't let anyone but myself handle him.

But in the case of waiting, I agree. I worked at an animal shelter for a while and a good majority of the reptiles that had been dropped off were due to someone going to college, or the parents/relatives/friends of a college student didn't want to deal with bugs or mice. Lots of turtles and snakes. Heck, when I was 18 and worked at the local zoo most of the turtles in their pond exhibits were college student donations or confiscated, and their RTB's and two of the other pythons were college student donations.

Personally, if someone were to start taking care of my bp's if I went away for an extended period of time, the amount of anxiety and worry I'd have over their quality of care in my absence would curdle my insides or stop my heart.

Get your own space or wait until you're out of school. It'll be easier for both you and the snake, you'd not have to worry about the stress of finding alternate care or boarding, and the option of possibly selling your pet isn't one you'd even have to consider.