Rudie Can't Fail

The results are in and if you got into that special place you desperately wanted then well done to you! If not, don't fret I'm sure you'll be fine...yet that won't make you happy will it. Yes, all across the country (especially with the cuts in places) more and more people are disappointed. Many will turn to you and sneer and ask "Did you do as much work as you could have?" I'm sure you did. What if, the problem isn't you. What if it's the SYSTEM? Now, without sounding too paranoid like a pot-head who's been blowing too long "They're out to get me man!" I genuinely think this country needs to take a serious look at how it deals with University places and grades too.  There's a number of parts to this issue, and I may not address them all as I'm just typing as I think them...so forgive me if you feel any problem is left untouched.


Without delving too much into how I did, all I know is I most likely won't get into the University I wanted to go, though I have other choices available...not bad ones either. However, my first choice may be available if I have a great personal statement and interview (if they bother to interview me.) Surely by meeting me they can tell if I'm a good student or not, or better still, is this man a moron? Well no, ladies and gentlemen I am not a moron by any means. This should stand me in better stead? But no, because I managed to only conjure up enough UCAS points that just fall short, in their eyes, I'm no good. 


This is another problem, especially concerning medicine. Without mentioning names, people who are clearly idiots in life and would be terrible doctors are being chosen over those just because grades are better. Guess what? Grades don't mean everything! They are the only way we have of measuring people's intelligence and frankly it's bollocks. I'm not suggesting we scrap grades and exams all together, but we need to allow more room for people to show how much common sense they have or how they are as a person, because what would you rather have? A friendly doctor who knows most things but makes the odd mistake, therefore he's human, or a cold man who tells you straight exactly what's wrong without any emotion or care. I know what I'd pick.


I'm being biased of course, but I think it's a fair point, a person's personality always works in job interviews and University is about personality...I'm a guy who loves to answer questions and is ready to learn. So I don't do as well at the written parts (partly due to my style and partly due to effort) I am intelligent enough to take it in. Ask me anything about Kant or why Elizabeth chose to invade France or about the style of Artaud or what kind of novel The Color Purple is or even why people chose to vote for the Tories in this election, I could mostly tell you off the top of my head and in a coherent and friendly manner. I am an intelligent being, as our most people, yet our chances to prove it are down to one thing and one exam which isn't even necessarily marked properly. 


Our teachers are no help, they don't even know what marks we need to get certain grades or what the paper is out of (they give us a rough idea, but there are some cases where they have been wrong.) Once again, not naming names, some people managed to score higher than others despite obviously being idiots in life. They can't spell nor is their grammar of a good standard yet they managed to wow the examiner because they know more stuff....well done them. 


University's don't even seem content with giving places when you basically have the grades. They don't want two A* and a B if the Bs in your chosen subject. No, forget that A* are fucking hard to get, you didn't do well enough in one subject, yet clearly you're intelligent. Though that does scratch my rant about intelligence being more than just grades. Yet it shows an obvious willingness to work, which I have plenty of given the right motivation. It is impossible to consider all the factors but perhaps I'm sick of the subject content, perhaps the teacher was awful, perhaps I was really ill the day of the exam, perhaps someone died who I was very close to...


University's need to realise we are human, not working machines. Some of us are clearly bright and able and some aren't. We can prove this in a number of ways, through interviews or experience or references. Why must it all be so heavily focused on these damn exams which pressure us so much we feel we could explode and aren't always fair. I know many people hate hearing me mention it, but in America you can choose what area of history (for example) you can study, or literature or maths. You can choose what you want. That's a start. I'm not trying to lay all the blame on the system, but I think I'd have found it a damned sight easier if I gave a shit about the Reformation of the Church. S0me say you should just get on with it, as you chose to do history/philosophy or whatever...but then University is about choice, from the degree to the aspects within that degree...so don't talk to me about choice bucko. It's a natural thing to work harder when we enjoy that work...if we hate it then we'll see it as a chore. 


UCAS in general are fucking wank. What's with the points any how? I have 300, I need 320 for Kent. But that's with my A in English Literature at AS. Does that count? For some it may, for some it may not. What the fucks up with that? Make up your mind, do AS's mean a damn (if not, why take four) and if they do then make people feel they still should be happy with the subject they dropped. Many just drop the one they got the lowest grade in, rather than re-taking or looking at it again. Put priority on it! 


The point is, the system fucks people over more than it does them good. We need to revamp it so Rudie Can't Fail (A Song by the Clash.) Even those with a place probably felt screwed in some way. How would you feel if you got an offer lowered? Clearly the Uni doesn't do very well and needs you. We can't focus so much on grades or points but as I've said, I'm not a politician, I'm a man with an angry blog. People are fundamentally competent or incompetent, obnoxious or wonderful, motivated or lazy. So many things can affect us that why should our entire future be decided by one or two exams, especially when the other things we should examine may be more important. I want to be a teacher, (roll out the arrogance) I'm funny, intelligent, friendly, engaging and think I'd be fantastic (especially teaching American History, a subject I love.) But due to one poxy set of results, according to the State, I'm about as average as the rest of them...and that makes me hate myself more than I hate them.


Now go away.