The picture you see above is of my kitten, Kylo (yes he is named after the Kylo Ren from "Star Wars"). I adopted him from the Humane Society almost two months ago. He is the sweetest and most playful kitten ever. I am currently a freshman in college and I can say that having a pet in college has helped me in many ways that I would never have imagined.

Having a pet is one of the biggest stress relievers for college students. Just spending time and playing with Kylo after I have been studying or working on a paper for hours boosts my mood and relieves any stress that I may be feeling. Kylo has also been my shoulder to cry on. It sounds weird, I know, but whenever I am sad or upset or my anxiety is through the roof, I just hold Kylo until I feel better. It sounds funny but your pet will always be there for you and are really great at detecting when you are feeling sad.

Having Kylo has also been a learning experience for me on how to care for another living creature. Since Kylo is just a kitten, he requires more attention and care than older cats, like having a baby versus a teenager. It has been good practice for me for the future whenever I have children of my own. Not only do I have the responsibility of feeding and giving him water every day, I also have to play with him and keep him active, groom him, bathe him, clean out his litter box, and make sure he is a happy and healthy kitty. Going into the adoption process, I did believe that caring for a cat would be much easier than it actually is. However, I would not trade Kylo for anything else in the world.

Having an animal in college has helped me through the highs and the lows and has taught me many valuable life lessons that many college students do not have to face until they are much older. Having this experience has made me a more patient person, more loving and caring, and more sensitive towards others. These are all valuable characteristics that many college students today lack. If having a pet in college has made me and shaped me into a better individual, then I believe that every college student should own a pet. When adopting Kylo I never thought of the impact that he would have on my life. yes, there are times I wish he would stop clawing my legs, or stop scratching the couch, or quit peeing under my roommate's bed, but overall he has changed my life for the better. So whether it is a fish, dog, cat, or hamster, every college student should take on the responsibility of owning a pet, at least just once.