As your standard, broke-as-a-joke college kid, I know the struggles of being penniless and hopeless, all while living out the "best years of my life." Here's the deal though, if you're like me, tackling 14 credit hours of classes, balancing a 15 hour work week, finding time for a social life and extracurriculars, and battling a few mental illnesses simultaneously can be quite grueling. Sometimes, at the end of the day, all you want to do is lay in bed and cry over nothing in particular, but everything in general. What's my secret to keeping my shit together you might ask?

Plain and simple: dogs.

Having a dog in college has benefitted me and my roommates in multiple ways, and it can benefit you too! Here are 5 reasons why having a dog in college is not a waste of time or money.

1. Owning a dog gives you a purpose.

Let's be honest, in the world we live in, sometimes it's hard just crawling out of bed. The idea of leaving my apartment somedays makes me shudder. When you have a dog, you don't really have a choice of whether or not you can get out of bed. That dog needs you to take care of it, feed it, take it outside. Unless you're a cruel, sick monster who likes to starve dogs, you're probably going to assume the responsibility and take that doggy outside. So even if taking your dog for a little walk was the only thing you did today, at least you did something, right?

2. It's so nice coming home to someone who is always excited to see you.

Nothing puts me at peace more than when I get to come home at the end of the day to a cute dog waiting for me at the door. After a long day at work, or school, or both, it's just nice to be greeted by someone who thinks you quite possibly hung the moon. Somehow, just petting a dog and paying attention to something other than my own issues puts me at complete ease. It's always the best way to end my day, no matter what kind of day it was.

3. Dogs don't judge.

A dog will be the least-judgmental roommate you ever have, I guarantee it. That means you can walk around in your underwear, drink juice straight from the jug, and wear the same jeans three days in a row and your dog's not gonna say anything about it. In fact, your dog isn't going to say anything at all. Dogs don't talk, so it's very easy to be 100% yourself around them when you know they're not going to tell anybody. To be honest, if dogs could gossip, they probably wouldn't because they're so pure. We don't deserve dogs.

4. Owning a dog make a great excuse for you to get out of plans you don't want to go to.

Have you ever been invited to go somewhere, and immediately said yes because right there at the moment, going out sounds like a good idea? Then when it's time to go out, you realize that that's not really something you want to do, and you'd rather stay in and relax alone. Have no fear! Owning a dog is the perfect excuse to not go out. Just tell your friends "I'm sorry I can't go out, my dog was home alone all day and I don't want to leave him alone tonight." Unless your friends are cold, heartless jerk-faces, they'll probably get the message and understand.

5. Dogs provide a certain level of security.

This might depend on the kind of dog you have, and it might not. There have been times when I come home late-night, and my roommates aren't there yet. Just having our dog, Reggie, there to sit with me gave me so much comfort and a sense of security. Dogs can be territorial and protective and in a sticky situation where I'm home alone, I would rather have a dog in my corner than no one at all.

Disclaimer: Even though there are a lot of really beneficial things about having a dog in college, you have to make sure you're ready for the responsibility. Dogs are a time commitment and can be expensive. Make sure your roommates are cool with having a dog around, and maybe ask if they'd be willing to let the dog out while you're at class. Be realistic about the time you're willing to put towards your canine friend and ensure that your living facility allows pets.