Gus - Blimey! That must be the school of nasty instructors. I'm definitely a tyro in the flight instruction game but in most cases I would rather teach them how to 'get out of a mess' than let them flounder and hope they discover it for themselves. If that is a good method, why don't we just strap them in, throw them a copy of Thom 1 and let them get on with it
Taking control of the situation is right but you can ask for help and still be in control - it's just using available resources. If you don't like the suggestions ATC make about suggested diversions, no one can stop you flying to wherever you want to...
Anyway, another good wx link is
www.metbrief.com - scroll a long way down to get to the aviation bits...