first, DO NOT get a bird.
A. they are messy. they shit everywhere and the seeds go all over the place
B. they live along time and are real social. they need attention, not exactly something you need in college.
Lizards tend to be hard to keep, they get finiky, dont eat, the college lifestlye would prolly stress them out and theyd die.
snakes are ok, but again, they live forever. pretty easy to take care of and feed and stuff tho. always fun to feed um.
id say small rodents are the best tho, they dont live all that long, are pretty dumb to begin with, and dont really need attention. my budy stole a hampster from Mejier a few years ago, and theyve had it ever since. ferrets are cool too if you got the cash.
turtles or frogs could be cool