BEFORE reading Miranda's column, I wasn't aware of the flip-flopping opinions on government support for independent youth allowance, "Student mess from argy-bargy," (WT, December 2).

It has been almost a decade since I left Lavers Hill (population 75) to get an education in Melbourne.

Although much has changed, I well remember the stresses of survival in the big city, and the amazing stress it places on students from rural areas.

It's not the just stress of relocation, it's having to cope with the traffic, the noise, the extra people and the transport.

If you add financial instability into the equation, I can't imagine the impact on the students.

In my first year at university, the stress resulted in me contracting glandular fever and then shingles.

Many other country students dropped out of university from the strain, with some in my year becoming too depressed, or giving up due to the demands from work, or simply missing their home town.

This is a huge, life-changing situation for many students.

The Government needs to support country students more, or at least provide them with some stability by making a decision.

Sometimes it is simply the uncertainty about the future that causes the most stress.

A decision needs to be made and made now so that at least a little of the relocation stress can be eased.

We need our future dieticians and radiologists and leaders. Support their education now.

Jaclyn Huntley, Niddrie, Victoria