University Whinger

This world-class whinger, whom I'll call "M", shows us everything wrong with today's entitlement mentality.

Has it not occurred that planning ahead might have been prudent? StudyLink, RealMe and University processes haven't suddenly sprung into existence. The lengthy processing time has been standard for some time, which is necessary for procedural correctness. The university clearly advertises application dates, even via expensive social media adverts for heaven's sake.

What truly boggles the mind is that M is suggesting the university should abandon basic financial principles such as payment deadlines. This is world-class gibberish. VUW is a fee-paying institution, not a free-for-all charitable venture for the organisationally challenged. Would M suggest restaurants should provide free meals because their bank transfer is running late?

The letter perfectly exemplifies the contemporary show-pony mindset. Something goes wrong, and immediately, it's someone else's fault, and a protest occurs. "The system" must accommodate my lack of foresight. The government should do better. The university should be understanding. Everyone else is responsible except—heaven forbid—myself!

I applied for my loan months before the deadline, going though the same process with no dramas. Astonishing, I know. Or perhaps M could secure funds through saved milk bottle money, or give two fingers to the Government's Student loan system and go private, paying 6% or so interest yearly. Even that would be more costly than copping a $154 late fee and the public embarrassment of writing such a letter to the editor.

M compares the university to a "budget airline", which is utterly absurd. Airlines, whether budget or expensive, require payment upfront.

Pay your penalty, learn the lesson, and for pity's sake, spare us the sob story next semester. But God help the poor StudyLink staff, forever mithered by unorganised, confused students who seem utterly baffled by the concept of deadlines.