Yes! I received the same criticism. My teachers and professors would say my writing was too conversational and unprofessional, which then felt lame for me, so I avoided their version of it as much as I could. I wish they wouldn’t have done that as it suppressed the development of my voice, but it’s never too late. I’m excited to find my voice now, having learned so much since then. It is sad, but at least you’re fighting it Waistcoat Dave! A lot of us would have blamed the system too much and accepted defeat.