You've got everything you need there for a Nest, but you're going to have to do some experimenting. A signal tracer would help so you can figure out what the wires are when they get back to your air handler. That would make life easier.
Shit, if I were in college right now, I'd do it from there. Are you kidding? Online shit for a few hours a day, and then beautiful beaches for the rest? Sounds pretty good.
Don't tell my daughters.