Small pets that could live in a space no bigger than a 10 gallon tank?

Well, if you can't have a bird, reptile or rodent all that is left is an amphibian or fish. So, you could go with frogs, geckos, newts, or another small guy. If none of them spike your interest then the only thing left are fish. My question though, is why can't it be a reptile or rodent? Those are basically what you would keep in a 10 gallon tank.

If you are going away to collage next year & won't be around to take care of it, why don't you just foster whatever it is --for a pet rehoming organization-- instead of getting one of your own . . . with the understanding that when you go off to collage they'll have to find another caretaker for it. . . . ?

you need to consider hermit crabs they are cool...louie...also how about plants..more precisely a terrarium you know like cacti sand various foliages, some cacti are real colorful ,...good luck in college

your choices are kinda limited here I would say maybe only fish.