Can you tell us a little more detail? Who is your email service provider? - i.e. Hotmail, Google etc. If so, can you tell us *in detail* how you've set up your account? - OK, don't tell us your username and password, of course - but details of the POP or IMAP server for receiving mail and the SMTP server for sending mail. You said that you'd followed all the instructions - could you let us know where those instructions came from? Do you have a link or URL that you could point us to so that we can see how the account is being set up?
Can you access the Internet using Safari? - i.e. are you able to surf the web? Obviously you need Internet connectivity to be able to receive and send your email. Is your iPad WiFi-only or do you have a 3G unit?
Don't get worried or panic - I'm sure that all Forum members will try to help you to get this working. It can be frustrating at first, but you'll soon get used to it.
Tim
Scotland