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SCMP Reporter

Learn to love your natural look
People often compare themselves to others, thinking: 'I am not as beautiful as her or as good-looking as him.'
When you walk down the street,  there are advertisements everywhere for slimming centres and cosmetic surgery.
People are becoming obsessed  with changing  the way they look without thinking about the possible dangers.
Some companies may not even be qualified to carry out plastic surgery and are just interested in money.
Health is more important than looks. Do people do these silly things because they don't know what true beauty is?
However, some men and women only consider what a person looks like on the outside.
Personally, I think  inner beauty is more important  than looks.
It really does not matter what you look like if you have a bad personality.
Lee Shung-ling
Positive thinking
It is said life is like a rollercoaster with many ups and downs. The secret is how you ride it.
When some people come across  difficulties, they  just give up or  become dispirited. They  think negatively and feel frustrated, so find it hard to enjoy life.
I think we should face problems with a positive attitude.
We should never give up and try to enjoy the ups and downs of life as it will have good times and bad.
Joyce Lin
Be smart - stay  away from drugs
Drug abuse is becoming more common among teenagers.
Some think their lives are too stressful or they are unhappy, so they try drugs because they think doing drugs will make them feel better.
In reality, drug abuse has  terrible side-effects.
Drug users are not in touch with the real world most of the time.
There are also very serious physical consequences, including overdose, which can cause death.
Drugs cannot solve your problems. What's more, they are very expensive. Trying to buy them could lead you into a life of crime.
Some young people resort to theft to pay for drugs.
I suggest the government does more to highlight the dangers of drugs.
It has ads on television and in the MTR, but there could be a roving exhibition about the problem.
Also, there should be more help for addicts to recover and for  ex-addicts to stand on their own two feet.
This way, they can lead normal lives again and become useful members of society.
Trying drugs just once could make you sorry for the rest of your life. Don't risk it!
Rainbow Wong
Teamwork is the recipe for success
Recently, I went to a camp for prefects.
At first, my teammates and I were not familiar with each other and preferred to talk to our own friends.
However, during the activities, we co-operated with each other to finish tasks and found working together helped us succeed.
Although we were not the best, we really did our best.
Before the camp, we were individuals but afterwards we were a team who believed in each other.
We should remember we are not alone - we have friends and teammates who will support us.  Chan Wing-fat
Shopaholics can't buy happiness
According to a recent survey, about seven per cent of Hong Kong people are shopaholics, with some having as many as  15 credit cards.
The survey found compulsive shoppers believed buying things could make them - and their families - happy.
On the contrary, shopaholics could end up developing  depression as well as serious financial problems.
Perhaps the government could design an advertising campaign about how to manage money wisely.
In schools, teachers should try to educate students about money management so that they develop good habits.
Cheung Yin-yeung, SKH Li Fook Hing Secondary School
Appreciate the simple things
Many people admire geniuses, but all of us can be a genius in our own way. You may dream of being a great success but small things matter too.
If you draw a  beautiful picture or write a good composition, you are already  a success.
If you waste too much time admiring others, or thinking you are not good enough, you might end up at a standstill.
Walt Disney once said: 'All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them' and I believe this quotation is true for everyone.
Fanny Chui
Classics can help language learning
I think it is very important to use the classics in teaching English, and not just books.
Classic movies and songs  might stop students feeling bored.
It is nice to take a break from traditional classroom teaching and encourage students to participate more.
If learning becomes more interactive through music or film, it may help students to take some initiative for their own learning.
During a film, they can note down new words and look them up in the dictionary.
Most importantly,  students will gain confidence learning English in a way they enjoy.
Pat Tsui, SKH Li Fook Hing Secondary School



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