I'm a college student and now that classes have begun its hard for me and honestly intimidating for me to get to the gym.

I went one day and just worked out on an exercycle, but today I went and realized it was too packed to work out. So I briskly walked home(15 minutes, slight uphill) and then I did about 15 minutes of high knee jogging in place.

With the exercycle I just went for 30 mins, and really just got my legs involved.
with the jogging in place, I was moving more of my body and sweating a lot more.

would it be better to do the high knee jogging than the exercycle?

Squat thrusts and jumping jacks will likely do more for you than either.

The variety is a good thing... When the gym is full do some weight training or a class, if they are availble to you, then walk briskly home... or walk further...

When you workout at home push-ups, squats, lunges, doing housework are all good alternatives... As long as you're moving and elevating your heart rate, you're good in my books...