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SCMP Reporter

Sing away your stress

People in Hong Kong always complain that they have too much stress.

But there are things we can do to make us feel better.

I suggest singing. Everyone can sing. It doesn't matter if you sing well or badly, the point is to forget about your school or work worries.

When you get home, close the door and act like a rock star. Express your emotion, jump around and sing at the top of your voice  - unless your neighbour gets annoyed and throws tomatoes at you.

You could also find a soft pillow and imagine it's your boss or a teacher you hate.

Hit it, kick it, or bite it - just do whatever you like. The important thing is just to relax and be yourself.

If you look at things in a positive, light-hearted way,  you will be happy.

King Kong

Law Ting Pong  Secondary School

Digital pictures not like the real thing

In this technological age, we no longer have to rely on traditional cameras to take pictures.  We can now use  mobile phones, digital cameras or webcams.  We can take photos anywhere, anytime.

Many people like to upload photos on their computer and post them on a blog.

Then they can share the photo with their friends, who often copy and save it.

But digital photos never seem quite real to me. You just have to press delete and they are lost forever.

I like to print photos out so that I can keep them forever.

It is also fun to draw on a photo, or write out a caption as this keeps even more memories alive.

If you want your memories to stay alive, print out your photos.

Lau Yu-ling

TWGHs Lui Yun Choy  Memorial College

Virginia Tech shooting a shock

The recent tragedy at Virginia Tech in the US was shocking and made me feel very sad.

I was shocked by the number of lives lost and  felt sorry for the Korean student who did not know how to express his feelings in a healthy way.

People are fragile. In our high- pressured world,   we lose sense of reality and let our tempers flare.

This is  dangerous as we may hurt the people we love.

Here are a few ways  I find quite useful in controlling my temper.

1. Take a deep breath before you feel like you might throw a tantrum

2. Always think in a positive way.  Try watching comedies and reading light-hearted books to release your stress

3. Drink cold water when you feel angry.

I hope everyone cherishes the people they love and embrace the world with a big smile.

I would also like to offer my condolences to the students killed in the incident. I hope their families can overcome  the pain and live a new life.

Teresa Yim

Heng Seng School  of Commerce

Not a smart ban

I think  a ban on the selling of condoms to underage people is not a good idea.

A ban will not stop young people  from having sex.

And, despite a ban, teenagers will find  ways of getting  condoms.

It is the same as with tobacco. Many teenagers still manage to get hold of cigarettes, despite it being against the law.

In my opinion, teaching  youngsters about safe sex is the best plan.

If there has to be a ban, it must be accompanied by education on other methods of contraception and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.

A Student

How to deal with difficult people

I think we have all met  difficult people before.

I find nosy people annoying.  They like to ask lots of questions about private matters.

When I respond with an angry look,  they just ignore it and keep hounding me.

If this happens, I tell them in a quiet voice to leave me alone.

But still some people hang around. That's when I become angry.  I'm not a very kind or patient person so I  sometimes come across as rude.

But most people know that I only get rude when someone is being difficult.

Only annoying people would disturb someone when they look upset.

I think the most effective way of getting rid of people when you want to be left alone with your thoughts is  to say: 'Do you know you are disturbing  my silence?'

This usually has the desired effect.

Nicole Tse Man-yan

Sheng Kung Hui Lam Kau  Mow Secondary School

Have a realistic sense of patriotism

I'm writing to express my view on the article 'Young Students show stronger patriotic bond' (South China Morning Post, April 23).

I'm glad to learn that there is an increasing trend for secondary school students to identify themselves as Chinese nationals.

But,  secondary school students  regard mainlanders  as less open-minded and not very polite.

They also dislike that mainlanders are not pursuing democracy and freedom.

These factors have led to some Hong Kong students not wanting to see themselves as Chinese.

While I agree that there are criticisms to be made about mainland society, we are Chinese.

I think schools here should give students the opportunity to identify themselves as Chinese.

But schools shouldn't gloss over the negative aspects - we need to maintain critical thinking.  Critical thinking is an important principle of education.  Students should not love China blindly.

Wansy Ho Wan-sin

Yan Oi Tong Tin Ka Ping  Secondary School

My dream of a future career

Everybody has a dream career.  Perhaps you want to be a doctor, pilot or a great manager. Many students want to be a teacher.

I want to be a teacher, but a special kind.  I want to be an extraordinary teacher.

I have watched many TV programmes about poor children  on the mainland. Quite a lot of famous film stars have gone to the villages and visited the poor families.

As I grow up, I have started to think more about their plight.  Many of them  cannot afford school fees. As a result, some of them do not go to school and some of them choose to give up halfway.

Without a good education, they cannot improve their living standard.

Only the rich  can find good jobs and become richer.

The government does not provide much help for them and the wealth gap is widening.

I want to be a teacher and  give them more knowledge. I believe that English is the most important language in the world.

So I would like to teach them English so they can find a job.  They can then also  improve economic development on the mainland.

I think it will be a satisfying job. To see a student find a good job and improve their living conditions would be very rewarding.

Being a good teacher is  hard work and my English and Putonghua is not good enough now.  But I am going to work hard  in order to make my dream come true.

Anita Li

Christian Alliance S.C. Chan  Memorial College



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