major SL issues

I too, am having major issues getting on Second Life. It doesn't work on my computer at home and i have been done to campus twice today to work on interviews and it says that Second Life is unavaible or something to that nature. What to do? It's getting down to the line, these issues that continuously come up are making it impossible to get my research done. It is very frustrating. It is difficult enough for me to get onto campus with the hope that SL will work there. I've been to two separate labs already, Park and Williams, and nada. Not working. I am not sure how we are supposed to do this when there is little to know way of getting onto Second Life, any suggestions? I can't imagine that there will be many suggestions, considering that many of us are in the same boat. I guess i will keep trying, what else can i do?