[spoiler]

You should see a doctor.

Its very unlikely that you are getting depressed at the prospect of going to university. It's more likely that you are suffering from depression, that the prospect of going back to uni is making you anxious, which in turn causes stress and people who are depressed have a very different response to stress than people who are not. Also, think of depression as a hole, and stress like this huge bulldozer that digs into it, and you are always at the bottom of the hole, and it just gets deeper and deeper. Eventually it can get too deep.

People who are not depressed can't understand the way stress feels for someone who is depressed, though.

Depression can have roots in some emotional problems, but it's also common for it to be a purely physical condition, too. I am depressed (it's being treated) and I can't guarantee you whether you are depressed or not (if you are, it sounds like a light/mild cases, which is good I believe), but the way you described your situation makes me think that you might be, and a doctor could definitely help you. If not with the depression, then at least with your anxiety and "social" problems.

The problem with depression is that it just gets worse and worse, and there is no stopping it on your own.

You can also develop depression at any stage in your life.

Disclaimer: I have a very bad case of Major Depressive Disorder, I suspect since I was a kid, which almost ruined my life before a friend made me treat it. So I researched a lot about it, but I'm by no means an expert!

[bookreader]

I think I might be slightly depressed, but the prospect of going back to college is making me unhappy (I think I'm pretty certain of this, but I don't want to go through all the reasons). I did well academically freshman year despite my depression, and at this point I'm mostly wondering how bad dropping out would be for me career wise (and maybe socially).

I feel confident that I can make friends outside of school, and while I'm worried about my parent's and friend's reactions to my dropping out, I feel like that shouldn't be the deciding factor.

[spoiler]

Of course it shouldn't!

If you believe it makes you unhappy, and not simply causing you stress, then you shouldn't go back. I realise your parents and friends might disapprove at first, but you should change their minds by showing them you can do what makes you happy and be successful.

It shouldn't make any difference in you social life, because if someone cares that much, they are probably snobby as fuck.

However, it might make a difference to you in later life. Russell Tovey (British actor) said he always feels ashamed for not having a degree in acting (or whatever it's called, I honestly forgot the term... Drama?) when people talked about which schools they went to. Your parents are probably just scared that you might develop self esteem issues like these.

I am not sure if it will limit your career choices, but you can always compensate with a kickass portfolio!

[bookreader]

I'm not worried about developing self esteem issues because of my lack of a degree.

I am somewhat worried about how it could impact my career, though.

[atsaloli]

I dropped out and am doing well career wise. In computer systems engineering it's the results that matter, not diplomas.