Undeniably, science and technology have given us better living standards, and yet surveys repeatedly tell us people are no happier, they increasingly suffer from mental disorders and suicide rates are on the rise.

It seems the more developed society becomes, the farther we drift away from each other. The result is too many people feel they have to deal with the stresses of modern life in isolation.

We might feel that way, but the reality is we're not alone. Never forget, you have family and friends.

You just have to reach out to them. Each one of us is surrounded by love and care. We just have to remember it's there.

Louise Au Wai-ngo, Leung Shek Chee College

Stricter rules on credit cards needed

I think it's time to tighten up the rules on issuing credit cards.

At present, it seems anyone - including teenagers - can successfully apply for one, and this is leading to problems with compulsive shopping, which in turn creates financial and legal problems.

There's a need for new rules that put restrictions on credit cards based on income and age, because there are too many people who cannot pay off their debts.

Schools also have the responsibility to educate students to manage their finances and to shop sensibly, if we are to stop this problem from getting worse.

Wain Wan, SKH Li Fok Secondary School

Don't focus only on the results

All too often we're so focused on getting results we forget to enjoy the process of making them happen.

Worse still, we forget it is the process that teaches us things, and rewards are simply the prize for having got the process right.

To achieve results, we need to find resources, analyse and solve problems, and come up with ideas.

When we're close to achieving something, we tend to focus on refining what we have done so far, in pursuit of perfection.

This is the process through which we learn, and when we learn to appreciate that and take pleasure in it, the result, when it comes, is a bonus.

Ng Mei-yu, Christian Alliance S.C. Chan Memorial College

Don't let setbacks grind you down

If everything came easily to us, we would never learn the importance of bravery.

Sometimes we find ourselves frustrated by setbacks and failures, and we occasionally get angry.

This is understandable, but it's not the best way to deal with life.

I agree it's frustrating to fail. But we can learn a lot from our failures - most importantly to be brave and improve ourselves.

As many famous people have pointed out, repeated failures often lead to success. So don't give up.

Elaine Tse Yi-lam

Think twice before cosmetic surgery

I sometimes wonder if plastic surgery has become too widely accepted.

When it is successful, it can enhance somebody's looks and make them look younger, which may open doors in their career and perhaps even their personal relationships. They could get more friends.

But, as we all know, cosmetic surgery does not always get the results people are looking for, and as it becomes increasingly acceptable, backyard operators are starting to spring up, offering bargain basement deals.

This is an extremely dangerous trend, and I wish people could accept the way they look.

Bernice Kwong Yau-hei

Don't blindly follow the tutorial trend

I think too many students are going to tutorial classes to prepare for examinations without really giving any thought as to whether they are useful or not.

Many of the schools call themselves '10A breeding grounds'. But can they live up to such claims? Like many other students, I felt the heat of examinations, and out of curiosity I signed up for tutorial classes.

I found it was good for my morale, because I felt like I was learning to be more in control in an examination setting. But the more I thought about it, the more I realised I was not learning anything that would be useful for me in the long term.

There's a lot more to life than exams, and as students we have limited time to learn a lot of things that will help us through life ahead. I recommend students think twice before signing up for tutorial classes, and don't blindly follow the tutorial trend.

Ingrid Wong

Need for proper sex education

It seems nowadays more and more teenagers, and sometimes girls as young as 12 years old, are getting pregnant.

I think we have to accept that, in this day and age, young people are inquisitive about sex. But many have not thought through the consequences.

This has to be blamed on a lack of education, both at school and at home.

Perhaps some parents feel embarrassed about teaching their children the 'facts of life'. But it is for the children's own good.

The same goes for schools. Perhaps it is a subject that many schools feel is too 'sensitive'. However, it is something young people have to deal with. They need guidance.

Jodie Chan