h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

When I first went to University in September 2003, I was very confident that I would get on well as I had been at boarding school since I was 13. This would give me an advantage as I wouldn't be experiencing living away from home for the first time.

My experience of depression is unusual as it was bourne out of events rather than my health. The early days of Uni lulled me into a false sense of security and gave me an unrealistically optimistic and sheltered outlook.

Unfortunately, events and a misunderstanding caused me to lose my closest friends and the one that I loved. I now feel shell-shocked, lonely and indescribably guilty. I never realised that such self-loathing and misery could come from what are transient and common life events.

As you said in your brilliant article on the subject, the University Conselling Service was very helpful. There is no doubt that going through college is one of the most difficult things to do, and being 20 is SO much more difficult than being 18.

I had to say this somewhere.

HCIP