They queue up for hours to buy tickets to their favourite pop stars' concerts.

Many of them spend all their time and money idolising these stars.

But this can be dangerous.

Teenagers are often under pressure to find an idol. It is seen as trendy.

If someone doesn't have an idol, they may not be as 'cool' as their friends.

But many teenagers decide they like a star just because their friends do.

By doing this, they are not learning to form their own opinions.

The media is also a big part of the problem.

Magazine editors often create stories about stars just so people will buy their magazines.

Teenagers, in particular, like to read about what their idols are doing, even if it's not true.

I think it's important to realise that actors and musicians are just ordinary people.

It's easy to believe that they are special or powerful.

But wasting time following their every move and neglecting schoolwork, friends and family is unhealthy.

There are far better ways of spending your time and money.

You can always get a CD or DVD and listen to or watch it if you like a star.

Joey Kuo

Holy Family Canossian College

Careful consumption

After playing softball in a PE lesson recently, I got changed and headed to the canteen for lunch.

Without washing my hands, I ate a delicious burger and a packet of chips.

I then drank a carton of milk which had been in my bag in the sun since early morning.

At dinner that night, I couldn't eat anything. I had an agonising stomach ache and a fever.

The following morning, I could not even sit up. I couldn't go to school because of the pain.

My mum took me to the doctor who gave me bitter pills and disgusting syrup.

I found out I had got food poisoning by eating with dirty hands and drinking fermented milk.

This experience has taught me to always be hygienic and be careful with my food.

Stefanie Yip

King George V School

Questions about life

What do you think is the meaning of life? Do you ever wonder why you are the way you are?

I always ask myself this sort of question.

Sometimes, I laugh at myself for being so serious.

I know that many questions do not have answers. But I can't ignore my questions.

I find it painful that I don't know the answers to everything. I feel compelled to think about the deeper questions of life.

My friends say that I shouldn't worry about things I can't answer. I hope I can learn to relax.

Ng Shuk-ying

Ju Ching Chu Secondary School (Kwai Chung)

A trip to the capital

This summer, I went on a study trip to Beijing.

Although the trip was busy, I had a wonderful time.

I not only learned a lot of new things, but also made new friends from different schools.

I learned about what's happening in China and I now have more ideas about its history.

I'm glad I now understand my own country better.

We also visited famous sights in the city.

I loved the Great Wall the most. It really is a masterpiece.

I believe that everybody should visit Beijing at least once in their lives.

Mavis

STFA Tam Pak Yu College

Fun in Form Five

I have just started Form Five. I know that this year will be tough.

It will be full of homework, revisions, tests and, of course, the HKCEE.

Despite all the work, I don't want this year to be dull.

I don't want to spend all my time revising or doing practice papers.

I know these things are important, but I want to enjoy my time in Form Five.

I'm sure other students feel the same.

But they all say they would rather focus on getting good results than enjoy their time at school.

I'm not saying I won't work hard.

I just want to strike a balance between studying and other aspects of my life.

I want to get to know everyone in my class. I would like to make good friends and have good memories of our times together.

I have the whole of Form Five ahead of me.

I believe I can get good results in the HKCEE and also enjoy myself and make good friends.

Ho Man-ling

Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College

Learn to choose the healthier option

I am writing to express my views on green tea drinks. Many of these were found to have high sugar levels.

If I had to choose between a bottle of water and a bottle of green tea drink, I would always choose water.

Even without doing scientific tests, I can tell that the green tea drinks are too sweet to be healthy.

Having too much sugar in your diet increases the risk of diabetes and obesity.

Most of these drinks also contain additives such as preservatives and food colourings, which may be harmful.

Some additives may even cause cancer.

School tuck shops should stop selling this kind of drink.

They should also stop selling unhealthy snacks like potato chips and fish balls to encourage students to follow a healthier diet.

Sirius Tse Pui-kam

Fung Kai Liu Man Shek Tong Secondary School

Be positive about your problems

I started Form Three this term.

Unfortunately, I'm not in the same class as my good friends.

Although I am disappointed, I know I just have to focus on my new class and new friends.

As we get older, we will come across situations which are not ideal.

But we must try to make the best of the situation. It will probably work out a lot better than you expected, so don't give up.

Stephanie Lam

TWGHs Lui Yun Choy Memorial College

Set realistic goals

I suggest that all students set themselves a goal for this school term.

Some students may plan to make new friends.

Others may decide to improve their grades.

Think carefully about what you want to achieve in your first term and set realistic goals.

Aim high, but don't plan anything that will cause you stress.

Enjoy the term.

Sally Leung Sze-wa

Pooi To Middle School