Rant

[Mark9]

People who don't say thank you when other people drive them home or round the country or even pay for them to do things. Makes me really sick.

[Tom]

AGREE.After recently passing my driving test I had been giving out lifts kindly because I was very excited to be able to! After a month this had got tiring and I had started giving them out infrequently. I reluctantly gave someone a lift from a pizza place in town, to a house we were both going to, he had bought 3 pepperoni pizza's which I don't like, oh well. After peeling the pepperoni off one slice and eating it (still tasted of pepperoni) and watching a film, I said I was heading back. He said he would too and assumed I would give him a lift home, which I reluctantly did. On the way home I was asked to pay £5 for the Pizza I hadn't eaten. I refused based on the cost of fuel and all of the lifts I had given him in the past, not to mention the smell of Pizza which would be in the car for days. His reply was 'no, that's not fair, you owe me'. He walked halfway home.

[JackR]

I recently saw a video on YouTube which has shaken me up quite a bit. I won't post it on here, it will become obvious why in a second.It is a bit graphic so don't read on if you are not too good with blood and stuff.There is an Asian boy who looks about 17 walking down a road in the snow and about seven other who look about his age all jump out from behind the large trash containers they have in America. They kick the boy, punch him, spit in his face and throw him against the wall until he cannot stand up without support. One boy then proceeds to taking the Asian boys bag and taking out a pair of studded football boots, which he uses as a weapon to hit the Asian's face until he starts bleeding and his skin is pierced. The video is about 7 minutes long and I watched the whole thing just to see what happens. The whole time, the poor boy is having racial abuse thrown at him and he seems so helpless and vulnerable to the others who are ganging up on him. The boy eventually escaped and ran as fast as he could away from the boys. They all chased him and the video was stopped.It sickens me to think somebody could stand there and film this poor boy getting beaten up for 7 minutes and not do anything about it. It wound me up a lot to think that this sort of thing happens all over the world all the time. In fact, this is probably happening to somebody as you read this. It's kind of made me aware of not only how sick and twisted some people can be, but also how lucky some of us are for not having to deal with this sort of thing.EDIT: Save me double posting.... I was just brushing my retainer (keeps my teeth in place after 2 years of braces) and it just snaps! £60 for a piece of plastic that lines my bottom teeth? I'm good thanks

[Smidget]

I genuinely hate it when you bend over backwards and go out of your way to keep one person happy because they will kick up an absolute storm if you don't, simply because they are too selfish to think about the happiness of others and that they too have feelings. Yes, I understand that in some situations not everyone can be happy with arrangements, but when one person in particular always has a problem, no matter how silly or pedantic it may be, it gets annoying. It also bugs me when people get jealous over nothing, especially when guys are involved, and in attempt to win a guy over (a guy who is clearly not, nor ever will be, interested), they essentially smother him. By that I mean constant texting, fb messaging, sitting next to him at school, etc. It drives me insane, especially when childish tantrums are thrown because this guy dares to speak to another girl! During advisory today, my advisor was extremely upset, as during her duty at lunch three girls began hurling racist and derogatory insults at her, simply because she (politely) asked them to be quiet down the corridors. My advisor is Spanish, and her accent is quite strong, so the girls took that as an opportunity to act as if they did not understand her. Now, whilst my advisor speaks very good English, she is very conscious of the fact that she occasionally struggles with it, and having dyslexia doesn't help her self-esteem at times. It got to the point that my advisor began to question whether or not she should be teaching at my school, and the digs the girls were making really hurt her due to the reasons mentioned above. I understand that students don't always like teachers, and clashes between the two do occur, but it makes me sick to think that a group of students would personally insult someone when all they are doing is their job. My advisor is one of the loveliest, funniest people I have ever met, I cannot for the life of me understand why these girls would insult such a lovely woman.

[rollerross11]

Don't you hate it when everything was organised I put a deposit down and even got time of work for it. And bamm people don't want you there cause its awkward. I'm a guy and my female 3 "best friends" and I were going to go on holiday in the summer. They know I don't see them in that way, even I offered to book my own room etc to make it less awkward . And then they get someone to text me that wasn't even originally invited cheek I guess I not have to see them after college is finished, if they didn't want me there they could have just said but before I had booked time before I had got money out etc.

[Smidget]

The first draft of my history coursework is due next Wednesday and because I had exams all last week I haven't yet started the last 1500 words. The coursework was split into 3 separate questions in order to make writing it easier, and then we just combine them all at the end. The only problem is - I can't find the marked draft of the first 2/3rds. Whilst not having it doesn't affect me writing the next 1500 words, I need it to sort my footnotes out, as there were some sections I had to rewrite. The work is not in the same place as all my other work, and I put all my work there, so I am genuinely clueless as to where it has gone

[Mark9]

People who are inpolite.People who don't know how roundabouts actually work.People who deliberately drive onto motorways at 30 miles per hour.That part of the A22 that no matter what happens, without fail, I will always get stopped by the red lights.People that drive at 50 on a 70 mile per hour road.The same people that drive at 50 on a 30 mile per hour road. STOP BEING SO CONSISTENTLY BAD AT DRIVING.

[JoshC.]

Okay, perhaps a rant-that's-not-really-a-rant rant coming up, which some people may find pathetic / whatever, but something I need to get off my chest...Much like many thousands of teenagers my age, I applied to university this year. As I believe I've said on this forum, I applied to - and got rejected by - Cambridge. Now, before I carry on, I'm not ranting about being rejected from Cambridge - after all, I applied for one of the most competitive courses at one of best universities in the world; I in no way expected to be able to walk in. However, I was rejected before interview, which obviously disappointed and slightly upset me. Now, this rejection was back in mid-November, and I immediately applied for feedback on my application - I thought that there was a very very good chance of me getting interview (as the college I applied for interview at least 90% for each subject), so I was somewhat confused as to where my application had gone wrong.Two months later, and contact with my Tutor had finally be made. So, there was one main reason highlighted as to why I wasn't even given an interview, which was that my grades 'didn't show potential in getting A*AA at A-Level' (their standard offer). In reality, Cambridge only really cared about three of my subjects, and they even said that (to a lesser or greater extent) when they sent feedback, and they were Maths, Further Maths and Physics. I've already got an A* in Maths (a bloody good achievement which I'm proud of, for the record), so it means they don't see the potential in getting 2 A grades in Further Maths and Physics. The reason was because my 'Statistics grades in Maths weren't close enough to 90%' (I got an A and a C, the C I've resat after a bad day. Stats is my weakest part of Maths, and their least desired Maths Modules..) and 'because I got an E in my Physics practicals' (which was explained in my application, due to poor teaching of them, as admitted by my teacher. For what it's worth, everyone else in my class got a U in the practicals...). So in other words, they're main reason for rejecting me was because of one bad day which happened to have 2 exams, and having a weak module score in one unit. According to my college, this is the first time they've heard 'module grades weren't close enough to 90%' as a contributing factor to rejection.What the real rick in teeth was with the feedback was they said that they 'would've liked to have seen more A*s at GCSE'; though it wasn't a big deal, I get the impression it was a nail in coffin. Okay, I only got a full A* at GCSE, which is below the average of a Cambridge applicant. However, I came from a below-average school and my particular year only scored 33% 5 A*-C, so to come out with the GCSEs I got surely shows that I have some potential? Okay, so this probably sounds really whinny and pathetic to some people, but basically what I'm getting at is simply I'm just a bit annoyed that out of all the possible reasons for not even getting an interview was that they couldn't see any potential in me, even though it was a couple of modules which looked a bit 'concerning'...

[Sidders]

It's not pathetic to those who've had the grave displeasure of having to be pumped through the academic sausage factory that calls itself UCAS. Honestly though, Josh, I wouldn't be too bothered about being rejected from Cambridge. A small glance at the news will tell you which way they're headed. In fact, it's possible that the reason you got rejected is because you came from a below average school (as did I, where my 5 or more A*-C grade percentage was 29%). Cambridge don't seem to even regard "riff-raff" these days. If you come from a disadvantages background you're not worthy of those uppity bigots' time, money and austere lack of character judgement. Anyone else think the UCAS application process is just so demoralising? Nobody wants to have their future potential or capacity for success entirely quantified, with not a look-in at the individual behind the situation, do they?I know a candidate who came from the same secondary school I did, who completed their GCSEs with 8 A*s and 3 As in whatever subjects they took. But she got rejected from The Imperial College of London, Oxford University AND The University of Cambridge, after only managing to get an interview for Oxford before being declined. As a result, she has now decided to take a gap year as she... well, her ambitions were destroyed within those three weeks of sending her UCAS application. She got an offer from The University of Exeter and one other college that escapes my mind, but that's what the "shock" if you like, of being completely rejected has done to her. She was heading for A*A*AB at A-Level (she does four A-Levels, but one was irrelevant to the course she applied for to University).It's genuinely ridiculous, and I'd personally steer well clear of Cambridge as they seem so up their own arses about who they let in it's not even about just grades anymore. Ah well, University of Winchester - make room for me!

[Tom]

Okay, perhaps a rant-that's-not-really-a-rant rant coming up, which some people may find pathetic / whatever, but something I need to get off my chest...Much like many thousands of teenagers my age, I applied to university this year. As I believe I've said on this forum, I applied to - and got rejected by - Cambridge. Now, before I carry on, I'm not ranting about being rejected from Cambridge - after all, I applied for one of the most competitive courses at one of best universities in the world; I in no way expected to be able to walk in. However, I was rejected before interview, which obviously disappointed and slightly upset me. Now, this rejection was back in mid-November, and I immediately applied for feedback on my application - I thought that there was a very very good chance of me getting interview (as the college I applied for interview at least 90% for each subject), so I was somewhat confused as to where my application had gone wrong.Two months later, and contact with my Tutor had finally be made. So, there was one main reason highlighted as to why I wasn't even given an interview, which was that my grades 'didn't show potential in getting A*AA at A-Level' (their standard offer). In reality, Cambridge only really cared about three of my subjects, and they even said that (to a lesser or greater extent) when they sent feedback, and they were Maths, Further Maths and Physics. I've already got an A* in Maths (a bloody good achievement which I'm proud of, for the record), so it means they don't see the potential in getting 2 A grades in Further Maths and Physics. The reason was because my 'Statistics grades in Maths weren't close enough to 90%' (I got an A and a C, the C I've resat after a bad day. Stats is my weakest part of Maths, and their least desired Maths Modules..) and 'because I got an E in my Physics practicals' (which was explained in my application, due to poor teaching of them, as admitted by my teacher. For what it's worth, everyone else in my class got a U in the practicals...). So in other words, they're main reason for rejecting me was because of one bad day which happened to have 2 exams, and having a weak module score in one unit. According to my college, this is the first time they've heard 'module grades weren't close enough to 90%' as a contributing factor to rejection.What the real rick in teeth was with the feedback was they said that they 'would've liked to have seen more A*s at GCSE'; though it wasn't a big deal, I get the impression it was a nail in coffin. Okay, I only got a full A* at GCSE, which is below the average of a Cambridge applicant. However, I came from a below-average school and my particular year only scored 33% 5 A*-C, so to come out with the GCSEs I got surely shows that I have some potential? Okay, so this probably sounds really whinny and pathetic to some people, but basically what I'm getting at is simply I'm just a bit annoyed that out of all the possible reasons for not even getting an interview was that they couldn't see any potential in me, even though it was a couple of modules which looked a bit 'concerning'...

I think you've highlighted you're an incredibly capable candidate compared with the rest of your school. I'm surprised your school allowed you to apply to Cambridge without the suggested GCSE grades, just because my school doesn't even let people apply unless they have got 7A* grades or above at GCSE.It's a shame that a few dodgy modules affected your chances, but that's the same with everyone I think, e.g. I found C2 incredibly difficult last year and ended up getting an E when my other modules met my target grade, so my whole grade plummeted! And I think you can see where they're coming from too, compared to the thousands of other candidates your grades may have just been just below the other 90% which is unfortunate!I'm sure there are plenty of other excellent institutions that would be delighted to have you where you will excel, Oxbridge are not the only Universities worth going to.I think this is an issue my school has always had, as it sort of brings you up to assume a B is a fail and everyone's goal is University and of course Oxbridge.

[Will]

I don't understand why people feel Cambridge is the only University you can go to. There are loads. I saw a newspaper article written by a girl, who attended Oxford Uni and she said she absolutely hated it because she didn't fit in with any of the students that went there, she didn't have anything in common and she felt depressed and lonely and became ill and as a result, she failed the year.A huge part of university is the social life, when I went to Roe, they said that socialising is a huge point of going to Uni and is a right of passage as they call it and Oxford and Cambridge are known for attracting a certain type of people, with a certain type of interests. You might find that you hate it or don't enjoy it as much.When we did our UCAS applications, our tutor made sure we did it in the first 2 weeks of starting our 2nd year because she said she wants us to apply and get everything done before we get too busy with our work and before everyone else in the country does their apps.The advantage she said of applying early is that the Unis' will give you a quicker response and you will have a better chance. It's this way, that I applied and got accepted into Brunel University for Business Management w/ Marketing (4-yr internship course) and I got in on a BTEC National Diploma.

[JoshC.]

Anyone else think the UCAS application process is just so demoralising? Nobody wants to have their future potential or capacity for success entirely quantified, with not a look-in at the individual behind the situation, do they?

I must agree that the process can be quite demoralising, especially with people who receive multiple rejections with little reason. In a way, I think that the process needs a serious rethink, as people are judged too much without reasons behind the creiteria thought of. The new proposals of applying after results are got is a good idea, but no good in practice - but that's a whole different argument..

I think you've highlighted you're an incredibly capable candidate compared with the rest of your school. I'm surprised your school allowed you to apply to Cambridge without the suggested GCSE grades, just because my school doesn't even let people apply unless they have got 7A* grades or above at GCSE.

My college do not stop anyone from applying to Oxbrideg if they want to, as they have the mindset of 'If you don't apply, then you don't know if you'll get in', if you will, probably because they've have students that would seem weaker still get a place. The thing is, Cambridge 'say' that GCSEs aren't of much importance, and they're taken into consideration with the secondary school (so, in a sense, 'good' GCSEs from a 'bad' school could be seen as the same as 'great' GCSEs from a 'good' school, and better than 'good' GCSEs from a 'good' school, if that makes sense).; based on the feedback I recieved, this seems a bit of a stretch of the truth. I'd be interested, if you don't mind me asking, whether you go to a college, or stayed on at your secondary school for sixth form there, as I know that it's a case that some sixth forms are quite strict about GCSE grades and applying to Oxbridge, because of the taking GCSEs in context with the school idea..

And I think you can see where they're coming from too, compared to the thousands of other candidates your grades may have just been just below the other 90% which is unfortunate!I'm sure there are plenty of other excellent institutions that would be delighted to have you where you will excel, Oxbridge are not the only Universities worth going to.I think this is an issue my school has always had, as it sort of brings you up to assume a B is a fail and everyone's goal is University and of course Oxbridge.

In a way, I do see where they are coming from, you're right. However, it is more a case of two dodgy module grades, which both have explanations behind them, stopped me from even getting an interview. I was more hoping that they'd make some sort of leeway, and allow for the odd bad day, which happens to everyone, which annoys me more. To be honest, I'm more disappointed about the fact I didn't get an interview than an offer, as, simply put, I feel the reasons aren't a reflection of how things really are. Goes back to Sidders point of demoralisation a bit I guess..And, of course, it's not like I've ended up with nothing - I'd already got an offer from my second choice uni before the rejection, which I was more than delighted with. Furthermore, it usually gets ranked higher than Oxford when it comes to my subject, so as you say, Oxbridge isn't everything!I completely agree with your last point (well, in a gneral sense as opposed to your school, as that would seem slightly stalkerish ). Some B grades, for example, are totally underated and people see them more as a burden to their application as opposed to a success of their studies. I know many a people who seem like people from your school, and treat B (and some A) grades as 'failure'..

I don't understand why people feel Cambridge is the only University you can go to. There are loads. I saw a newspaper article written by a girl, who attended Oxford Uni and she said she absolutely hated it because she didn't fit in with any of the students that went there, she didn't have anything in common and she felt depressed and lonely and became ill and as a result, she failed the year.A huge part of university is the social life, when I went to Roe, they said that socialising is a huge point of going to Uni and is a right of passage as they call it and Oxford and Cambridge are known for attracting a certain type of people, with a certain type of interests. You might find that you hate it or don't enjoy it as much.

For the record, I never felt that Cambridge was the only uni to go to, but it was of course my first choice. Anyone who's ever been rejected by the first choice will know the disappointment, and slight upset, that it causes the. It's not different when it comes to Cambridge. And the thing with social lives at Oxbridge is, I'd say, completely blown out of proportion. I know people who have successfully got a place, and people who are currently there, and none of them are this 'snobby, uptight, posh' people that are well known to Oxbridge. I don't deny that there are a lot of 'that type' of people there, but there are plenty of other people who are much more 'normal' if you will. When I was fortunate enough to stay at Cambridge for 3 days during term time, it certainly gives a clear picture of what students are like - and I'd say that, for the most part, they're just like any other university students. And of course there's people who hate it and don't 'fit in', but I'd say that that happens at all universities.

[Nicky]

The university I go to is typically known as the Oxbridge reject one. The vast majority of people who go here got rejected by Oxford or Cambridge. For me, only Oxford did my course and I could only get a B at Physics no matter how hard I tried so it wasn't an option for me but I had friends who went through the experience and the stress of having to interview.I know it seems harsh but at least you know why they rejected you. They are trying to pick between the highest candidates in the country without that much to go on. They have to find criteria that they can use to distinguish between people. There is only so much leeway they can give with the standard of school that you went to.I got rejected by Edinburgh and I asked why. They sent me an email explaining their admissions policy and all I could see that would apply to me was that I wasn't "local to the area".A lot of people get rejected and realise that it was probably the best thing to happen to them.

[Tom]

My college do not stop anyone from applying to Oxbrideg if they want to, as they have the mindset of 'If you don't apply, then you don't know if you'll get in', if you will, probably because they've have students that would seem weaker still get a place. The thing is, Cambridge 'say' that GCSEs aren't of much importance, and they're taken into consideration with the secondary school (so, in a sense, 'good' GCSEs from a 'bad' school could be seen as the same as 'great' GCSEs from a 'good' school, and better than 'good' GCSEs from a 'good' school, if that makes sense).; based on the feedback I recieved, this seems a bit of a stretch of the truth. I'd be interested, if you don't mind me asking, whether you go to a college, or stayed on at your secondary school for sixth form there, as I know that it's a case that some sixth forms are quite strict about GCSE grades and applying to Oxbridge, because of the taking GCSEs in context with the school idea..

Yeah I completely understand what you mean but I don't think Cambridge cares about background, just results. As you've said the process is demoralising and impersonal and that is one of the things it may not take into consideration.And yes I stayed on at my school into sixth form

In a way, I do see where they are coming from, you're right. However, it is more a case of two dodgy module grades, which both have explanations behind them, stopped me from even getting an interview. I was more hoping that they'd make some sort of leeway, and allow for the odd bad day, which happens to everyone, which annoys me more. To be honest, I'm more disappointed about the fact I didn't get an interview than an offer, as, simply put, I feel the reasons aren't a reflection of how things really are. Goes back to Sidders point of demoralisation a bit I guess..

Yeah, I know that those who applied to Oxbridge in my school had AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA in every module, even those rejected without interview, so it's all a bit much, I don't think Oxbridge allow 'off days'. Sighhh.The whole UCAS thing never caught my attention, I'm applying next year because I have no idea how anyone can guess their grades at A2 and know what they want to study at Uni so quickly! Haha.

[Deleted Users]

I must agree that the process can be quite demoralising, especially with people who receive multiple rejections with little reason. In a way, I think that the process needs a serious rethink, as people are judged too much without reasons behind the creiteria thought of. The new proposals of applying after results are got is a good idea, but no good in practice - but that's a whole different argument..

The reason they are unwilling to give reasons is because they don't want to have to deal with students disagreeing with them. I'm sure for every valid complaint, there would be many more invalid ones. It's rubbish to be on the receiving end but that's a flaw with the amount of people applying compared to the places. Remember for Oxbridge, up to half the places may be going to international students as well.

For the record, I never felt that Cambridge was the only uni to go to, but it was of course my first choice. Anyone who's ever been rejected by the first choice will know the disappointment, and slight upset, that it causes the. It's not different when it comes to Cambridge. And the thing with social lives at Oxbridge is, I'd say, completely blown out of proportion. I know people who have successfully got a place, and people who are currently there, and none of them are this 'snobby, uptight, posh' people that are well known to Oxbridge.

Well the students at Oxford do their best to alienate everyone around them

[Benin]

Ohhhhhhhhh did someone mention international students?The ones at Stafford are by far some of the most ANNOYING students ever... Let's take my exams for example, now we all know the ground rules right? No talking to anyone, can't start until told to, have to finish when told to...Apparently, no-one told the foreign students (and this is NOT tarring with the brush of generalisation, it's true), and yet even though all of these rules were clearly broken and state that the exam should be taken away or discounted if you break them, nothing was done...Urgh...

[Sidders]

You won't need to worry about international students much longer. The sheer cost of education in the UK is absolutely atrocious. I can hop over to France for a couple of years, enjoy the scenery, the culture and the night-life and be educated to honours degree level for a measly £1,450 a year if I wanted. Why on Earth would foreign student optionally choose to be educated in the UK? Oxbridge ain't that good.

[Nicky]

It has always been higher than £9,000 for international students who aren't from the EU so I don't think its going to make that much of a difference now.Oxbridge is well known internationally, that's what makes the difference.

[Sidders]

Oh yeah... I keep forgetting that But then why is it so cheap for UK students to study in Europe? UK AIN'T THAT GREAT.

[Deleted Users]

Ohhhhhhhhh did someone mention international students?The ones at Stafford are by far some of the most ANNOYING students ever... Let's take my exams for example, now we all know the ground rules right? No talking to anyone, can't start until told to, have to finish when told to...Apparently, no-one told the foreign students (and this is NOT tarring with the brush of generalisation, it's true), and yet even though all of these rules were clearly broken and state that the exam should be taken away or discounted if you break them, nothing was done...Urgh...

I guess you're unlucky or I'm lucky then. About half of the students at my college are international and most of them are awesome.

[Nicky]

Feeling so ill. Got aches and pains all over, a sore throat and just feel exhausted. I can't be sick at the moment, I have so much work to do. I'm stuck at uni and having to rely on my friend to get me food from the canteen as I can't even walk down the stairs from my room. I'm just praying that I don't have tonsilitus again as that will wipe me out for a few days and I just don't have time for it.

[JoshC.]

YAY - another university rant!I've got an invitation to a two day course at Warwick Uni, my top choice, for extra help with the additional exams I have to sit. It's basically about tips and tricks, and other things too. The thing is, they aren't on consecutive days (one's next month, one's in April) and it's quite difficult to get up there. For me to get there on time, I'll have to leave my house at about six, pay about £40 quid for each of the days to travel up there. It's one of those tough choices where it's something I really want to do, but it's going to be hard to find the money to warrant doing it... Just argh :@

[Ryan]

I'm going to try and write this without swearing but it's going to be tough.As some of you may know, I used to work in a shop called the Discovery Store, this was a quirky gadget type shop that was pretty similar to Hawkins Bizarre. I worked here from when it opened in November until it closed last Thursday. During this time we were treated awfully by the management of the company particularly Barry Rickets (scum of the earth). I've never received a pay slip from my time working here and neither did any of my colleagues. For the whole Christmas period up until a week before we closed we had no manager so most of the time we didn't know what we were doing. They gave us one weeks notice before we closed but promised us we would be paid on the 31st, yesterday. Nobody has been paid yet and we found out yesterday that the company has gone into administration.Nobody understood why the company had gone into administration because we all did blooming well over the christmas period. Yesterday a Facebook group for employees was set up and it came to light that Mr ******* Barry Rickets has 70 companies, 40 of which are failing/in liquidation and he's in over £1million pound in debt. We also found out he hadn't been banking some of the shop earnings and has just emptied the tills contents into the back of his car on a number of occasions. This Is why I haven't been paid and so many others who can't afford this month's rent at their flats now for example.I've been on the phone to the administrators and they're going to send out a form to all employees in the next week, this will confirm how much I'm going to be paid and I have to sign it and send it back off to them. The whole process of me getting my money back could take up to 6 weeks. So that's me and a LOT of other people with no income until 6 weeks time (considering most people only found out they've lost their jobs last week). To say I'm fuming would be an understatement.

[Fred]

Well at least it sounds like you're being paid - most employees are unsecured creditors and sometimes you won't even get anything (end of woolworths many people weren't being paid for example).

[Luke_A]

When people post what seems to be everything they find on Tumblr on Facebook... and get a ridiculous amount of likes on the photo's. Just no. Don't do it. It's ok if it's now and then but keep Tumblr to Tumblr and Facebook to Facebook.