Well-chosen friends will stop you going astray
It is easy for us as teenagers to be influenced by our friends and classmates.
If, for instance, some of your classmates are studying for their exams, this may influence you to follow their good example. On the other hand, if they are playing computer games, you may be distracted from studying.
So, to alleviate this problem, you should choose your friends very carefully. You should choose friends who have self-control and who know how to behave appropriately.
If your friends have good character and are self-disciplined, then your own chances of going astray are lower.
ERNEST KWOK
King George V School
Thanks for your letter, Ernest. That's good advice, our friends do have a big impact on our lives. But what do you do if you've made friends with people and only later you realise they are not the kind of people you want to hang out with?
It isn't always easy to change friends, but it is possible. There's no need to have a big argument with your old friends. You can still say hi to them, just start spending less time with them.
Make sure that your new friends share the same interests as you and have qualities that you would like to find in yourself.
Kate, Editor
