It is important to build on our relationship with our parents whenever there is time to do so. They are more important than friends. We also need to do the same thing with grandparents - communicate with them and take care of them.

We might find them stubborn and frustrating, but this just means we need to learn respect and be selfless.

When we reach the point where we can share our thoughts with our families, we will find our efforts worthwhile.

Don't leave yourself with regrets later in life. Cherish your family.

Lam Mei

Treasure everything in life

What does it mean to 'treasure' something and how can we do it? This is a question I often ask myself because I think it is something we should be doing every minute of every day in everything we do.

If someone asked me what we should be treasuring, I wouldn't know where to begin because there are so many things we need to treasure. Treasuring things makes a big difference in life.

People who complain about how fast time passes, for example, might find it pass more slowly if they treasured every moment.

If you think about it, time is a treasure along with so many other things in life - health, learning, family, you name it.

Treasure everything in life and become a healthier, happier person.

Sakura Ip, King Ling College

Remember to thank people for help

It is easy enough to ask someone for help. But not everyone remembers to say 'thank you'.

I think teenagers are particularly bad about this. Saying 'thank you' is good manners. You should say it to friends, classmates or anyone who has been kind to you.

Try to remember to say these important two words next time somebody lends you a hand.

Amy Liu, Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College

The pros and cons of peer pressure

Peer pressure is a great influence on teenagers. Apart from parents, friends play an important role in their lives. Friends bring us joy but they can also influence our behaviour. Because we share our secrets and problems with friends, it is very easy to be influenced by them.

When teenagers trust their friends too much, they can end up going astray - smoking and taking drugs are the most common examples. Some teenagers cannot refuse something offered by their peers because they fear losing their friendship. In such cases, peer pressure is bad for teenagers.

But some peer pressure is good. A student who is weak in their studies may be compelled to spend more time on their books because of the influence of friends. Friends can provide encouragement and support.

Some teenagers may also be influenced by their friends to behave more confidently and dress better. This influence is positive as it helps teenagers build self-esteem.

Whether peer pressure is good or bad depends on the teenager's friends and the values held by the individual. If friends have principles, peer pressure will help development. But overall, we need to have our own values and opinions and not be influenced by those around us in negative ways.

Candy Yan Shuk-man, True Light Girls' College