I'm also in college and about 4 hours away from home. For Thanksgiving and Spring break (both about a week), I just make sure my snakes are fed and the temps are stable and they have water, and I leave both at school. For winter break (about a month), they definitely have to go home (b/c it's a long time without food/I like playing with them!/we leave the apartment at 55 degrees which is a no-no for snakes). Hope that helps with your decision, and good luck picking a snake!