Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I had planned on going to this one college in two years after I graduate, though that would require really doing my best this year and next year, but I figure I could pull it off. The whole reason I wanted to go to this school is because they apparently are a very good school to learn music edu, and because it would be within 15 minutes from home so I could still keep my drums and stuff there, and take care of my reptiles. Now my parents want to move from the suburbs to the open country, which would mean that they would be about 45 minutes away from that college, and my lizards would be too. That would also place them about 1 hour and 45 minutes away from any other colleges that offer the courses I want to take. I'm not quite sure what to do here. They are very intent on moving (we almost bought a new house two weeks ago, and another just last week, luckily they were not too nice), and I don't want to have to suffer through college without being able to see/take care of my reptiles. My parents already said they would take care of them, but I'm not sure how much I trust that either... they don't really know how to detect problems and I'm not sure if they would really pick up on it anyways, since they don't really like reptiles, my mom just thinks mine are 'cute'. Needless to say though, they suffered through long vet visits and payed for the bills, so I'm sure they must understand a little bit about reptiles parasites/illnesses.

I guess it just seems like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. If I do get into the college that would be closest (which my parents don't seem to think I can...actually they just don't want to help pay for such an expensive college, and I guess I can understand that)... it still would mean I'd have to drive 45 minutes there and 45 minutes back to see my reptiles, and if I don't get in, it would be almost 2 hours each way. What would you do in that situation? I guess I have a couple of years to think about it. For now I'll work on keeping my lizards healthy (or rather, getting my bearded dragon healthy....it's been almost two years and he still has problems with parasites and eating the right diet... I'm never getting a reptile from that place again).

It sounds like you are dedicated to your reptiles which is a good thing.

This is what I would try to do....
Get a job that would allow you to work flexible hours (like McDonald's, Wal*mart or some other "College-friendly" place). Save some money for college (to help show your parents you are serious about making this work.)

Then find a "reptile-friendly" apartment someplace closer to the college. (the college by me has apartments that cuts a break for college student), then find a roomate (also reptile-friendly)to help split the costs. After you get to college, you may try to find a job that can get you college credit at the same time (helping to save you or your parents money on tuition).

The alternative is to get rid of your reptiles for college (which I am sure you are not keen on). Maybe you could get into a ferturnity/sorority and bring them.

good luck.
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Hangin with the Herps
ZZ

I agree, look for an apartment and take your reptiles with you. You can get an efficency apartment that costs very little in most places and will still be larger, more private, and have a better kitchen (sink, fridge, stove, microwave vs. dorm sink and microwave fit only to prepare Top Raman)then living in a dorm. Even if freshman are required to live on campus, if your parents live in the area then they usually wave that requirement. Back when I was in college in North Texas they actually wouldn't let me live on campus because they ran out of rooms!

I admire your dedication to your herps though. NOTHING would have made me consider living in my parents house after I graduated! Now I think back about how beautiful life was before there were such things as bills!
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I am in almost the exact same situation as you are my house is about 45 min to a hour away and had no car at college so I did the only thing I could do. I TOOK THEM WITH ME. I lived in the dorms and of course animals of that sort were not allowed but you need to remember your RA on the floor is not looking to pick a fight as long as you don’t go running all over with your lizard and keep it in your room you should be fine. Now I live in a apt with another person who has lizards and loves video games as much as I do so its great. If you want to keep your pets and go to college you will find a way. Its not near as hard as you would think it is.

PS I lived on a co ed floor with a female RA and a male one and on the last day of school both of my RAs and a bunch of people off of the floor came and watched me feed Vincent my Tegu in the closed lounge

So don’t get discouraged and if you are wanting to get an apartment start looking during the second semester of your last before you go to your new college

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its your world i just live here