Our columnist this week is Naomi Sykes, a 17-year-old student at Greenhead College, Huddersfield.

Travelling on the train this morning I found myself listening in to this couple behind me: I wouldn't spend four days living in a tent!' Me neither. I bet those people stink.' Give me a hotel room any day.' These comments are, of course, referring to the festival-goers at this year's Glastonbury shindig.

Personally, I have been overcome with jealousy scanning through the papers and seeing the thousands of happy faces caught on camera at the world-famous event. Although I've never been, I knew that most of them, regardless of the weather, were in for an amazing weekend.

It's not quite Glastonbury, but this August my mates and I will be heading off to Leeds Festival, in Bramham Park, for the second year running. I can understand the cynics - last summer I did have my reservations about going a whole weekend without a shower or home-cooked food! But I think the fact that we are returning this year speaks volumes.

The whole experience was, honestly, the most enjoyable and fulfilling of my life so far. My first festival was something I never want to forget. In fact, as I walk around college, I see fellow students still wearing their Leeds Fest' wristband ten months on. They're just proud to have been part of it.

It's because festivals aren't just about loud music and wellies. Within a few hours of arriving and pitching my tent, I had been greeted by dozens of strangers (a few of them weirdly dressed, it has to be said) who were all intent on having a fantastic time.

Some of them just gave a passing hello' or a high-five, and a handful became my friends for the weekend.

When I got separated from my mates in the squished crowds it didn't matter because I could just talk (and jig) with the people around me. Even a downpour on the Sunday night couldn't dampen our spirits.

Dry weather does make things easier, but the trick is to just ignore the fact your clothes are sticking to you, and you won't notice it after a while. Alternatively, for people who really can't stand the rain there are always marquees to take refuge in.

Throughout the whole time I was there, I never came across anyone who was grumpy or not enjoying themselves. I'm not denying there were some - in 70,000 there's bound to be a few - but I never met them.

It's all about going in with the right attitude and focusing on having a good time rather than worrying about the mud on your jeans, or the over-priced burgers,.

So I'd like all those who would never have given events such as Glastonbury a second thought to reconsider their prejudices.

I've spent summer nights in air-conditioned Mediterranean hotel rooms and I've spent summer nights wrapped in a blanket round a campfire. It might not be as warm or as exotic, but for the fun-factor, I'd choose a festival any day.