I'm an older first year student and this field seems very judgemental. Our instructor is very by the book when it comes to our positioning test. However, sometimes if we do it by the book, points off for not collimating. Collimating to the part, points off for not doing it by the textbook.
The clinical setting is not any better. At one site, you're lazy if you're not helping filling or pulling files for mammograms and have to sit and listen to the younger female techs talk about shaving their bh because they are going to have anal later. The older techs, you get judged for not knowing how they been positioning for 30 years.
At another site, which happens to be the same hospital that I work for, forget your student badge and you're considered dumb and unreachable. Even though, I forgot my work badge a handful of times and everything is ok. The rad techs do the same and share their badge. The clinical environment for students is absolutely terrible.