What sort of pet is the best and why?

Chinchilla...just because I am addicted. Chins are lovely little animals with the softest fur in the entire world. They are nocturnal so they will sleep all day while you are in class/work and be ready for play when you get home. Chins have nearly no smell unless their cage is not cleaned out regularly. They actually remind me a bit of cats, which as you know make you earn their love. they are very playful little brats and cute. Search chinchilla popcorning on youtube and you will see what I mean. If you need more information take a look at the chins-nhedgies forum.