But now they seem like an endangered species as, due to financial constraints, many students are either not going on to higher education or staying at home to study at their local institution.

My generation bemoaned the fact that we no longer received the grants like our older siblings, whereas today's students have the extra financial burden of tuition fees, which total about £10,000 for a three-year degree course.

Yes, the stay-at-home students will still get the same qualification that I did a decade go but, boy, are they missing out on the 'university experience', which I think is far more important than any piece of paper you receive at the end of it.

When I went to Newcastle University I was not excited about going to learn about the Byzantine Empire or the Magna Carta, rather the chance to live in a vibrant city, which was a world away from the sleepy Suffolk market town I had grown up in.

How enthralling it was to discover a new place. Just like everyone, I did get homesick during the first year but the fact I was a five-hour train trip from home meant I could not slip home when I got down – I had to get on and deal with it.

Also, as almost everyone was in the same boat, you forged strong friendships.

The real fun happened in late nights back at our halls/house or on weekends, which the local students missed out on.

Also leaving home at 18 meant you severed the apron strings quicker, learning tools of survival, such as cooking, washing and managing a budget.

Once again these are things you are unlikely to learn if you treat university like sixth form, returning home to mum and dad at end of the day.

Sadly, with the current financial woes, this situation is only going to get worse and I fear this rite of passage for future generations will soon be lost for ever.