Tarantulas are the most manageable pets for busy college students, even though they might be scary.

Having a pet is, to no one’s surprise, a huge undertaking — especially as a college student. Delphie Backs, a junior applied developmental psychology major, adopted her cat Olaf, a two-year-old white short-hair, from the Beaver County Humane Society last year.

You will never really know what your fish is feeling, but you can assume it’s undying love, as you’re the sole purpose it’s still alive.

Winston prowls around a house on Bates Street — meowing, knocking things over with his black-and-white paws and chewing on the mail. For Georgia Vidal, a college student with a limited budget, housing...