Short terms add to the pressure on everyone to compete and succeed, both socially and academically. Before you come up it is easy to believe that Cambridge is a kind of wonderland where no-one could possibly be bored or unhappy or lonely. Finding out the mundane reality can be a shock to the system. The knowledge that feeling depressed is common and not a sign of inadequacy is a step towards coping, should a crisis arise. A period of depression, if seen as a failure, can be the start of a downward spiral from which it becomes difficult to regain confidence.
Depressive moods can result in wasting enormous amounts of time and energy.
Furthermore, there can be strong social pressure against exposing how you're feeling, let alone asking for help. There is of course a difference between clinical depression and temporary stress and unhappiness, but the one can manifest itself through the other, and temporary unhappiness is a problem which should not be ignored. Depression can take on many forms which can include weepiness, appetite disturbance, sleep disturbance, feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, emptiness, low energy, pessimism, feelings of futility, inability to experience pleasure, difficulty in concentrating, fear of going mad, loss of faith, suicidal thoughts, anxiety and agitation. There should be no stigma attached to seeking help, whether it is from friends, your Tutor or Director of Studies or Chaplain, the Counselling Service or any other group. It may take courage to ask, but little can be lost by doing so.