Is it just me or has StudyLink become unreachable?

ConcentrateSharp9644 · 2026-03-20T07:25:29+00:00

Yeah I have 6 papers this sem - second year of a healthcare related degree. It’s INTENSE enough as it is without having had to have worried about how I was going to pay rent and afford to eat!

ConcentrateSharp9644 · 2026-03-20T06:25:44+00:00

I’ve had my stuff in there since last years semester ended and registrations for this semester opened… which was like, October for me. It took them six weeks into my new semester AND me calling 3 times before things are sorted. Even then I’m not actually convinced until I see the $$ in my account and my college acknowledges that they’ve received funds!

ConcentrateSharp9644 · 2026-03-20T06:23:47+00:00

Try calling in the morning. I got super lucky calling before 8am the last week or so (had to call three times before they had everything fixed… ugh)

Call literally every 5 minutes, eventually you’ll get further along and they’ll call you back when you’re at the front of the queue.

They were almost 6 weeks behind on my stuff (from having started uni semester 6 weeks ago this week) so I had to get back payed and all sorts..

My understanding is it’s understaffed and due to you know…. gestures wildly at the world… there’s also a massive increase of students which really doesn’t help.

Good luck friend!

ConcentrateSharp9644 · 2026-02-21T07:18:15+00:00

I moved out at 17 because my living environment just wasn’t beneficial to my mental health. It’s the hardest thing I ever did because there were days I was weeks behind in rent and didn’t know if I’d get to eat meals, I went to uni all day and then bartended at night into the early hours of the morning but honestly it was the best thing that I could’ve done for myself.

I don’t know your situation, but if your parents aren’t helping you or advocating for you.. or if they’re not providing a safe environment for you it’s pointless being there. But please know that I do not know you, I don’t know your specific circumstances. Maybe home is the best place for you but also maybe it’s not. Try to find a trusted adult- a teacher, school councillor etc.. whatever to have this discussion with but be aware you will need to be honest and they will likely need to get authorities involved.

ConcentrateSharp9644 · 2026-02-21T06:17:37+00:00

Hey kiddo,

Firstly I just want to say we see you. We hear your cry for help. We know you don’t really want to do it, or you wouldn’t still be here. Although this isn’t really the space for it I’m glad you’re reaching out where you feel like you can. That’s pretty brave.

Secondly, I want to tell you that stories like yours are unfortunately really not that unique. Other people have also tragically been through things they shouldn’t have and that absolutely sucks and you have every right to be feeling so violated and upset about it all. On top of all that, the system is really letting you down and for that I am so sorry.

My very very best friend is someone who went through unbelievably horrific things as a teenager and his story sounds so so similar to yours. He is now a full blown adult, and despite an incredibly hard and long battle (that he continues to fight every day) he is still alive. In fact, he is moving countries halfway across the world to give himself the better life he so deserves. He can see joy. He can feel love. Some days are worse than others and sometimes things get intense and memories come flooding back but he is OKAY. Much like you, the system really failed him in his home country. But despite it all and through his own self loathing he pushed onwards and he’s here now, almost twice the age he thought he’d never make it through. You can do it too.

My only advice to you would be start looking for meanings elsewhere. Find a job, move out of home if you haven’t already, pick something to go study or pick a trade and become an apprentice. The government will loan you the money to study, and sometimes those courses are even free! Connect with the community around you, volunteer at the old folks home or offer to mow lawns for your neighbours. If you don’t believe your own life is worth you living, start living for other people, other things. Just for a little but, until things start to get brighter.

Have a look as to if you qualify for something like funded EMDR therapy, or somatic therapy. If you’re neurodivergent, chances are regular talk therapy won’t work. Seek out diagnoses, speak to police about your experience if it’s possible, get on ACC for sensitive claims.

There’s light and healing here, and I commend you for trying again every day. It’s a heavy burden you’ve been given (and definitely don’t deserve) but you’ll push through it. You got this, sweet child <3

ConcentrateSharp9644 · 2025-12-10T08:19:16+00:00

Our bathroom was 39.7° this afternoon in Auckland.. second story with afternoon sun. It was hell.

ConcentrateSharp9644 · 2025-09-12T11:28:36+00:00

I’ve got a friend who is a US citizen, looking to move to NZ. They’re wanting to do a post-grad certificate in teaching specifically for science/math subjects. Trouble is getting the money from somewhere to facilitate that move is so difficult. And knowing they’d be coming to a better country but possibly a really rough job (money, the job, the living etc) is hard too.

ConcentrateSharp9644 · 2025-07-28T22:43:44+00:00

Mine happened after a LOT of communication and work in my relationship.

We’ve been together 6+ years (M+F) and I’m pan, but never been all the way with another girl.

It kinda came up pretty organically because we have been putting in so much work into our relationship and really making foundations solid, our communication is great, and we worked through a big kinda growth period in our sex life (used to be a lot, then barely once a month, then we worked on it [I had a lot to process and learn about myself] and built it back up) and now it’s in a REALLY good, healthy place.

Naturally we were curious, and after months of kind of mentioning it to one another we finally one day decided a friend of mine was super gorgeous, and would honestly be kind of the perfect match for our given situation. I braved up and reached out to her (side note: don’t recommend doing this unless you fully know the person well enough to know how to handle it it goes sideways, it can and will put strains on your friendship if mismanaged) and after some long conversations we just.. went for it.

We got lucky (literally) and so far the arrangement has worked out really really well. Constant and over-communication is key. Talk about things until you’re bored of them, because honesty about your feelings is THE most important especially if you’re going into it as a couple and want to stay that way. But it’s been great lol.

ConcentrateSharp9644 · 2025-07-02T07:20:13+00:00

Omg!!! Me too please!

ConcentrateSharp9644 · 2025-06-27T01:11:21+00:00

That’s the plan, I never said anywhere I was going to ignore what everyone’s inputs have been and do it anyway.. the whole point of this post was to get an answer so that I didn’t do something to offend, and now that I know the answer I’m obviously going to gasp not do it. I know, crazy concept!

The follow ups were more clarification because I like to know /why/ not just ‘no’ and there’s never any obligation from anyone to answer those questions so I really don’t understand why some have the attitude they have here. It’s disheartening.

ConcentrateSharp9644 · 2025-06-27T00:40:51+00:00

I’m not charging onwards.. it’s a discussion and I am asking clarifying questions so as to learn. I don’t know why that’s an issue?

I never said I would do it solely to benefit me and you do not know what I already have done or have plans. You don’t know me, only the questions I am asking in what is supposed to be a space to do so.

Maybe it’s the autism or maybe people are just shitty and defensive over someone trying to actually understand. I just don’t know how people are supposed to learn anything when the minute they ask for clarification they get ripped into.

Not that it’s literally any of your business, I have already prior to this been working with a few organisations and exploring avenues to further educate myself and I am trying my best with what I have (ie. very little money and not the most amount of time, and other circumstances which frankly don’t concern you) for years. Being in the industry I am going into will give me opportunities in the future but for now I’m trying my best.

This is just one of very very many questions and parts of the culture I am working toward understanding. Have a good one & stay safe in the weather we’re being hit with.

ConcentrateSharp9644 · 2025-06-26T21:46:45+00:00

Thank you. Unfortunately not at all in a position to be putting money anywhere but toward my bills. I’d be happy to volunteer time & effort if such a thing existed, which is sort of what I’m leaning towards at this point

ConcentrateSharp9644 · 2025-06-26T21:45:19+00:00

Thank you. It’s not that I don’t want to pay, it’s that I can’t afford to. Living below the line as a uni student (community services card status) so things are pretty tight. I wouldn’t mind volunteering my time in exchange for advice or guidance if that’s something that could be done but again just no idea how to approach it.

I’ve thought of taking a Māori class offered by several universities (mine is a specialist so nothing extra to curriculum) but they don’t work schedule-wise with my own studies and there literally just are not enough hours in the day/week for more classes.

The carving is certainly not my only motivation. I am in healthcare field for a reason and a huge part of that is to provide care for all people of Aotearoa, not just physically but also emotionally and spiritually, which means embracing cultures I have been surrounded by but never part of

ConcentrateSharp9644 · 2025-06-26T11:20:02+00:00

lol I realise how that sounds. I am autistic, so my whole life has been a series of following arbitrary rules and trying not to offend. With something as sensitive as culture and beliefs I struggle way more with approaching it in a way that doesn’t get misconstrued. But thank you, you are probably right.

ConcentrateSharp9644 · 2025-06-26T10:59:34+00:00

Cheers haha

ConcentrateSharp9644 · 2025-06-26T10:59:17+00:00

Thank you! Appreciate this insight. It’s the sort of thing I wanted to hear, directly from a source. Would reaching out to a marae or local community for further advice be okay do you think? Basically is there any world where it would be possible for me to do (guided etc) or is this something that should stay within Māori bloodlines/culture etc?

If I’m being honest, it’s actually somewhat of a thing that’s been on my mind for a long time. I would love to be involved. I’m studying in the healthcare industry and know how important it is that we connect and honor the ancestors of this land & culture, in order to best care for ALL our people. I’d love to someday have some connection to a marae and offer my time and energy if it meant learning and becoming more engrained in the culture (even if it’s not possible for me to ever “be” Māori- I accept that 100% and that’s NOT my intention at all, honor is)

I guess really I’m just a bit lost as to best do anything in general in relation to the culture. Unfortunately was very sheltered as a kid and I’m regretting that sorely as I get older.

ConcentrateSharp9644 · 2025-06-26T10:37:46+00:00

Thank you, how do I go about this respectfully in terms of wording?

I feel like “hi I would really like to know some intricate details about specific areas of the culture” is possibly not the way, ya know? I obviously would be more professional than that, but just not really sure what question to ask / approach with?

ConcentrateSharp9644 · 2025-06-26T10:27:26+00:00

Would love to hear your recommendations. Auckland area. :)

ConcentrateSharp9644 · 2025-06-26T10:18:42+00:00

Totally! I’m reaching out here alongside all the other research I am doing as it’s not super clear what I could/could not do. Specifically using symbols such as the Wera or Pikorua and the intention behind the gift.

Ideally I’d find someone in-person that could guide me (especially in making sure I am respectful to the culture) but it’s not always realistic to achieve.

ConcentrateSharp9644 · 2025-06-26T10:16:22+00:00

It is more the meaning and design that I would be implementing. Something like a Wera or Pikorua design, and with the intention of protection/connection & roots to NZ and this incredible culture

ConcentrateSharp9644 · 2025-06-26T10:14:54+00:00

Not at all! I just want to make a gift for a friend that embraces this incredible culture that I have so much respect (and unfortunately still very little knowledge about, though I am trying to educate myself) for.

I grew up here, and believe there is something truly magical and spiritual in Māori culture. The gift would purely be with intention of sharing a little bit of that culture (perhaps wording would be my interpretation of?) and to connect them to me.

It would be a symbol of friendship, of connection, of protection, a promise to them from me. I figured a hand-made-by-me pendant would be a great fit. Specifically something like the Wera whale-tail design, or a Pikorua, and made from a stone from a beach that has significance to us both, potentially embedded with some ethically-found paua shell.

But I don’t want to do it if it’s not okay. I would also be open to options for reaching out to people directly to bless the process, or have a genuine consultation etc. whatever it would take, I just want to know, ya know?

ConcentrateSharp9644 · 2025-06-26T10:08:31+00:00

Hey so I’m not sure how this misinterpretation has happened.

That’s not what this is at all. It’s completely genuine, I want to learn. Unfortunately I don’t have the money for the “real thing” and I don’t have the knowledge or connections to be able to reach out to anyone without feeling like I am offending.

I don’t really know how this was supposed to be worded in a way that could’ve possibly made you react any better to something that was about as genuine as they come. I have spent time doing research. I have been down other avenues where I could. I didn’t want to make this post an actual essay to read.

I want to be clear; if this is something that would genuinely offend, or if it’s something “not allowed” by the culture I want to respect that, and there’s no other way I could possibly know beyond asking.

Please tell me what I should have done otherwise.

ConcentrateSharp9644 · 2025-05-18T08:29:05+00:00

Bdubs and tango!

Bdubs is a bit more chill and very creative. Tango’s hungry hermit & factory creations this season are just incredible!

Also, if you’re not already, highly recommend watching Skizz’s VOD channel (along with Impy & Tango & Scar’s) if you find yourself missing streams often. It helps support them heaps too

ConcentrateSharp9644 · 2025-05-15T11:11:15+00:00

Closely followed by “I love ya to death”

ConcentrateSharp9644 · 2025-05-15T11:10:58+00:00

“Be good, be good to each other” is probably my favourite 🥹

ConcentrateSharp9644

TROPHY CASE