Locked out of my Gmail account—any tips for recovery?

Here is the issue.

I can't recall my password—so, okay, I enter my cell number and get an SMS with a verification code, which I enter, but then they send some kind of recovery email to the address I set up ages ago... except that email was from back when I was in college, so I don't have access to it either since I've forgotten that password too. Then, when I try a different method, they ask for yet another email to send a code to, and even after I type that code in, they just won't confirm that I actually own the account.

Isn't it enough that my phone number is registered so I can just reset the password through that? I'm at a loss here—any advice?

cosmicranger73 said:Isn't it enough that my phone number is already on file for password resets? I feel stuck here. Any advice?

Clearly, it isn't.
Your best bet is to try and trigger the security questions prompt and answer those.
https://support.google.com/accounts/.../7299973?hl=en