When you are given a chance, you have to be ready to seize it, so you don't miss out.

The modern world is full of competition. If we want a successful life, we need to keep our eyes open for chances and then grab them.

Yip On-ke

Our Lady of the Rosary College

It's what's on the inside that counts

Many people judge others purely on the way they look. People who are good-looking are given priority and treated kindly while everyone else is treated as inferior.

This is not fair. I see this kind of discrimination at school. For example, there is a student in my class who is always mocked or ignored because he looks a bit different.

I used to share this attitude. But one day, I actually spoke to him. I realised how wrong it was to judge a person by how they look.

Now, I can't stand people who judge others without getting to know them.

I also think people must focus less on outer appearances and work on their inner beauty.

If we are beautiful inside, what we look like doesn't matter.

Nic Leung

Flag-selling is easy

I joined a flag-selling activity recently. I had not taken part in this kind of service and I wanted to help people.

I found it difficult to sell the flags to passing strangers.

Instead of just asking people as they walked by, I actively went up to people and talked to them.

Although some people still didn't want to buy a flag, I didn't give up.

Although I didn't sell all the flags and I had been standing up for hours, I was happy and found it rewarding.

I learned a lot from the activity. I learned how to communicate with strangers and speak to them politely.

And the most important point is that I have realised the importance of flag-selling. We can help a lot of people this way.

From now on, I will buy flags when I see people selling them.

I recommend this voluntary activity to everybody. I'm sure they can learn a lot from it. I hope I can join the activity again and the public will make an effort to buy flags.

Karen Lo

Our Lady of the Rosary College

My teacher is a source of inspiration

I was in Form One last year. I found it difficult to adapt to secondary school life. It was hard to make friends keep up with the work.

The situation made me unhappy and I got into trouble. Fortunately, my humorous and kind class teacher helped me to face those problems and adjust.

Although she is no longer my class teacher, she still helps me to with my problems. Sometimes I send her an e-mails when I encounter difficulties.

She is very busy, but she makes time for her students. I'm really touched by her care and encouragement.

Thank you very much for looking after me, Ms Lee.

Tsang Wai-yin

Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College

Treasure your parents

I always used to think my parents were annoying.

But now I realise how important they are.

Last December, my parents went to the mainland for work.

I was really excited to be home alone. I could do whatever I liked: play computer games, watch my favourite TV programmes, chat with friends and so on.

At the beginning, I enjoyed it. But soon I started to feel miserable.

I found it difficult to wake up without my mother's loud voice, so I was late for school every day. I could only eat noodles and unhealthy snacks for dinner because I didn't know how to cook.

I also had to do all the housework: washing the dishes, doing the laundry, cleaning the floor and tidying my bedroom. I found it harder than exams.

When my parents came back unexpectedly on Christmas Eve, I was very glad to see them.

Their absence made me realise how important our parents are. We should treasure them. Although they get cross and can be annoying, we'll miss them when they are away.

Icey Chan

All lives are equal

We say that humans are the most intelligent animals. But is this true?

We often read about animal cruelty or people abandoning their pets. It shows that humans are selfish and cruel.

We only think about our own wants and needs. We neglect how the animals feel.

I recently watched a documentary which showed how some animals will guard the corpses of their species. They don't want other animals to eat them. This shows animals have feelings.

If I was an animal, I think I would hate humans and want to get revenge for the way animals are treated.

Put yourself in their position. Imagine what their life is like if we don't treat them properly.

Every life is equal. We should cherish life, whether human or not. The Earth is for us all to share and enjoy.

Chan Fu-wai

TWGHs Mrs Wu York Yu Memorial College

Think twice to avoid hurting others

Sometimes we do things without considering the consequences.

For example, you may mock someone and not realise you have hurt them.

I teased my friend about her hair the other day. I said it looked ugly with the hairclip she was wearing and she should take off it.

A few minutes later, I realised that this could be hurtful. It made me very sad to think I had upset her.

I said sorry, but I didn't eat lunch with her, as I felt she would want some time away from me.

My thoughtlessness taught me an important lesson.

We should think twice and be careful what we say to other people.

Louria Sin

Blog fever

More and more people are turning to blogging as a way of keeping in touch with their friends and families.

Unlike talking on the phone or sending an SMS, a blog is a permanent record.

You can add also pictures and videos and readers can make comments.

According to a survey, about two million Hong Kong people are frequent blog users.

Most people write about personal feelings, thoughts and anecdotes about their daily lives.

Although it may be a good way to keep in touch with friends, some people are worried that blogging could be harmful.

If students become obsessed with blogging, they will spend less time studying.

They may also start to disregard language rules and rely on emoticons and abbreviations. This will undermine their language proficiency.

However, if students do it wisely, I believe blogging can enhance students' computer literacy and help them relax.

Joyce Lee

Ju Ching Chu Secondary School (Kwai Chan)