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SCMP Reporter

Hongkongers need to take a break
Hong Kong is a busy city. People are rushing around without taking a break and this can damage their health.
Hongkongers start work early and even sacrifice their lunch hour to complete their daily tasks. They work hard to earn more. For example, restaurant workers start at 8am and don't finish until 11pm. This affects their health.
People seldom eat a proper meal - they usually have fast food well after their lunch hour. They have an unbalanced diet, so they are unhealthy.
Exercising is essential because it helps people relax and releases pressure. Fast-paced Hongkongers should take note of how Europeans are so relaxed. I hope Hong Kong people will rest more and have a healthy and balanced diet.
Vivian Ma, Hang Seng School  of Commerce
Life is like  a maths equation
A blind person on a recent television show impressed me.  I will never forget what she said: 'Life is full of limitations and the most important thing is to break those barriers.'
It made me wonder how people could commit suicide.
Change is unpredictable and may be difficult to cope with, but as a science student, I like using maths as a metaphor for life. An equation is a challenge and the variables change. I believe we need to deal with each challenge step by step, and there is never only one method to a solution.
Therefore, try to seek alternatives. By doing so, you will find the answer.
Nic Leung
Speaking English is a mission possible
English is a worldwide language that's useful to learn. Using  the language more is key to improving pronunciation and speaking English fluently.
But students are not willing to speak English except in class. So, it is necessary to create an English speaking environment. This mission is not easy to accomplish, but it is not out of reach. Students and teachers need to co-operate. Teachers can encourage students to speak English everywhere. They can organise activities for students to practise their English. And students need to be more brave in speaking English.
Gradually, speaking English will become a habit. It's a mission possible if we try.
Cherie Tang Chor-kiu, Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College
Let children  learn life skills
Rich families are overprotective of their children. Most of them don't know how to cook and some don't even know how to tie their shoelaces.
Everything is done by someone else and they become lazy. For example, my cousin's family lets him play computer games all the time, and he only eats when someone hands him food.
Parents have to let their children do something like sweep the floor. They have to carefully monitor the amount of time their children spend on work and leisure activities.
Abby Law, Pooi To Middle School
A tough place in the job market
A conversation with a taxi driver made me think about job prospects. He asked me why cleaning jobs today require a university degree.
His statement was exaggerated, but to an extent it's true because employers are demanding higher academic qualifications than before.
The driver said when he was younger a university graduate could apply for a manager's position, but today it's usually only a clerk's post. But he missed the point - there are more university places and, therefore, more graduates.
With more graduates in the limited labour market, some really have to apply for low-paid jobs and employers will wait for more educated candidates.
The result of more university places is that we have to work much harder than before to compete in the job market.
Kasper, STFA Tam Pak Yu  College
Protect donors from dishonest charities
With the many charities making appeals for donations nowadays, there should be laws to prevent scam artists.
I was asked to buy a flag from a young girl for a charity, but I had never heard of it and when I asked her about it she ran off. I doubt she was really selling flags.
In recent years, people have pretended to organise fund-raisers or sell flags to get money from unsuspecting donors.
The government should enact strict laws on charities to protect the interests of donors.
Amy Lau Yuk-ching, Leung Shek Chee College
Good and bad to an entertainer's life
Being an entertainer can be a risky career choice because there are good and bad aspects.
I remember a DJ who was also a singer and an actor. He was popular, but at an awards ceremony he lost the prize to another singer.
The DJ said he was jealous of the winner and after this comment his career went downhill. He now lives in a public housing estate and receives welfare payments.
The job also has its advantages, such as gaining confidence from singing on stage, but it's important to be happy with what you do.
Donald Yau
Nurture the arts
Pursuing a career in the arts is limiting in Hong Kong. The music industry is an example because most of the popular songs are commercialised.
Dance is even worse, with most parents seeing it as just entertainment. They don't consider it a well-paid job.
This belief hinders the development of the arts in  Hong Kong.
Truda Tsoi, Fung Kai Lui Man Shek Tong Secondary School



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