Enrich Your Dorm Life With Pets (But Do It Right!)

College life can be confusing and chaotic, especially if you are just moving into a lonely dormitory filled with tons of other disheveled college kids you may never mesh well with. Sometimes you just want some unconditional love and companionship, and that’s when you buy a brand new puppy… only, wait! You can’t have a puppy in the dorms! What’s a poor student to do?

According to the blog Surviving College Life, the answer is simple: get a fish! Sure, they can’t cuddle up on your lap, but they are quiet, soothing to watch, and relatively stress-free to care for, and that can be just what a college kid needs. But what kind of fish should you go for? The blog has the answers:

For beginners, I’d recommend getting either a Goldfish or a Betta. They don’t require much space, and aside from a little feeding and the occasional water change, they are relatively self-sufficient. And pretty!

Note: Betta’s are the lowest maintenance as single fish, but if you get a Betta, only get one! They don’t play well with others.

That’s for sure — Bettas are also known as fighting fish, and live up to their names quite fiercely! The site also warns that, while they don’t need daily walks or litter-box tending, fish are fragile and do require dedication and care. But if you’re willing to put in a bit of effort, fish can be a great (and dorm-friendly!) way to liven up the barracks you will soon be calling home.

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