College

[Sammysnek]

Hi

**actual** college campus bp owner in my past life (and current professor with multiple bps).

1. Please choose the college that best supports your education.
2. I housed, successfully cared for, and transitioned from two years' worth of college dorm herp keeping a happy, healthful, and thriving bp to off-campus living. And then, past grad., to my own apartment. This bp and I, we went places together.
3. It is totally possible to house a bp when RAs deem it "unacceptable." I admit, this may be controversial, BUT, if they allow fish, it isn't crazy to keep a bp. They are just as quiet, and chances are, you will not be kicked out of the dorms for it. I went to a very strict school, and still, there are bigger concerns than this for dorm policy.

That being said, you need to option your own path, and maybe choosing to house a bp against dormitory rules isn't your thing (though I did it, and it was fine). The biggest risk is the safety of that bp, and knowing that if you choose to house on campus, you HAVE to have a backup for that animal. I had a friend who wanted bps for their science classroom, which would serve well in the case the RA decided it was between me or the snake (that never happened, the snake was fine and lived in my dorm hassle-free).

The bp was NEVER noticed (even during room checks with at least 7 different RAs), so chances are, housing won't know. They are impossibly disorganized older college employees who are more stressed about curfew and drinking rules than a quiet, non-smelling pet that hangs out in your room. If I had a dorm check, I hid the tank temporarily under lingerie (because most of the RAs were men and felt weird about checking that) and I made sure above ALL ELSE that my roommates first were okay with him, which they were. It's all up to your principle about the thing.

Each situation is different, I get that. But, I know so many people that do it. In the end, you'll need to choose. I chose, and it led to a wonderful, happy relationship with a healthy and loved little bp with a caring home.

Very best of luck!

[Craiga 01453]

Hi

**actual** college campus bp owner in my past life (and current professor with multiple bps).

1. Please choose the college that best supports your education.
2. I housed, successfully cared for, and transitioned from two years' worth of college dorm herp keeping a happy, healthful, and thriving bp to off-campus living. And then, past grad., to my own apartment. This bp and I, we went places together.
3. It is totally possible to house a bp when RAs deem it "unacceptable." I admit, this may be controversial, BUT, if they allow fish, it isn't crazy to keep a bp. They are just as quiet, and chances are, you will not be kicked out of the dorms for it. I went to a very strict school, and still, there are bigger concerns than this for dorm policy.

That being said, you need to option your own path, and maybe choosing to house a bp against dormitory rules isn't your thing (though I did it, and it was fine). The biggest risk is the safety of that bp, and knowing that if you choose to house on campus, you HAVE to have a backup for that animal. I had a friend who wanted bps for their science classroom, which would serve well in the case the RA decided it was between me or the snake (that never happened, the snake was fine and lived in my dorm hassle-free).

The bp was NEVER noticed (even during room checks with at least 7 different RAs), so chances are, housing won't know. They are impossibly disorganized older college employees who are more stressed about curfew and drinking rules than a quiet, non-smelling pet that hangs out in your room. If I had a dorm check, I hid the tank temporarily under lingerie (because most of the RAs were men and felt weird about checking that) and I made sure above ALL ELSE that my roommates first were okay with him, which they were. It's all up to your principle about the thing.

Each situation is different, I get that. But, I know so many people that do it. In the end, you'll need to choose. I chose, and it led to a wonderful, happy relationship with a healthy and loved little bp with a caring home.

Very best of luck!

Please don't advise people to break rules. Campuses have rules for a reason. It would really suck if OPs heating equipment somehow started the whole dorm on fire...
Just because you chose to act irresponsibly doesn't mean you should advise others to do so.

I've done PLENTY of irresponsible crap in my day, but I don't share it and advise others to do so. If anything I'll share my mistakes with the hope that people learn from my mistakes rather than making their own.

But openly suggesting that somebody break their colleges rules is completely unacceptable and irresponsible.

[Craiga 01453]

OP, I'm going to chime in as someone who's lived a pretty interesting life filled with tons of learning experience...

Go to your first choice school. Do NOT sacrifice education for a pet. It's admirable that you care so deeply for your pet, I get that. I care for mine as if they're family.

You have your WHOLE LIFE ahead of you. That means plenty of time for many more pets. You may only get ONE SHOT at going to your first choice college. Your education will shape your entire future in many ways. Your career path and your job you go to EVERY DAY will be dependent on your education.

Unfortunately, this is one of the reasons I advise kids that still live at home think long and hard before bringing a pet home. These decisions WILL come up. Whether it's college, landlords, roommates, etc...having a pet, especially a snake, can make living situations extremely difficult.

Bottom line: do what's best for YOU. It probably seems pretty scary, but these are decisions adults have to make. And right now you have a BIG decision to make. Choose the one that's best for YOU long term.

I'm 41 now and seriously wish I made better decisions when I was your age. Trust me, you'll thank yourself later in life, go to your first choice school.