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SCMP Reporter

Keep quiet in the library or leave
Many of us go to a library to do revision or read. Unfortunately, some students don't know how to behave when they're there.
Some people eat, gossip, and even play, making a lot of noise. This is extremely irritating and inconsiderate, as it distracts others from their work.
It's especially annoying for Form Five and Seven students who have to study for public exams.
People should realise the purpose of going to the  library.
Libraries provide a peaceful atmosphere for people to concentrate and read, not chat.
If you need to make a noise, you shouldn't be in the library.
Jacol, Hang Seng School of Commerce
Real beauty is  found within us
Hong Kong teenagers care about their appearance very much. They spend a lot of time and money on their skin, body and clothing because they want to be admired.
Slimming is like fashion. Many teenagers think it's important to follow the trend and use all sorts of different ways to lose weight. Some of them eat very little food and do a lot of exercise. Some of them even take over-the-counter drugs without a doctor's recommendation.
These steps are extremely dangerous. Teenagers need sufficient nutrients for growth.
And some medicines have side-effects that could harm us. We risk losing more than  we gain.
The first step to becoming more attractive is to maintain good health. A balanced diet, regular exercise and sufficient rest are crucial.
We should also learn to be happy the way we are. Don't waste too much time or thought on our appearance. We  should be confident in our  skills and personality rather than worrying about what we look like.
Kary Lui, Chuen Yuen College
Cultural District requirements
I am writing to comment on the problems associated with the ambitious arts and cultural project, the West Kowloon Cultural District.
Arts are a very important aspect of life. But many people in Hong Kong have a very limited knowledge of and interest in them. It's important that arts education is taught at schools and the public is  made more aware of the importance of arts.
In our practical-minded society, people prefer to concentrate on work or academic affairs. In order for the West Kowloon project to be useful, young people need to be taught to appreciate the arts. But teachers are not encyclopedias: they cannot be expected to automatically know everything.
Education for adults is as important as it is for children. The more people know about the arts, the more they will appreciate and visit the district.
The government should encourage arts appreciation. The arts hub should not be only for existing art lovers, but also for people who may become arts lovers in the future.
I firmly believe the arts could cheer people up, mend rifts and heal sorrows. But as long as Hong Kong remains notorious for its money-grabbing attitude, the West Kowloon Cultural District will fail to have a positive impact on citizens.
It is important, too, that artists push themselves to be the very best. Only with high quality art can we expect tourists from all over the world to view our city as a centre for world-class shows. We should be able attract collaborators from around the world if our own talent is strong enough and our venues prove user-friendly.
If the government wants the West Kowloon District projects to succeed, they need to ensure the public is as excited about it as the government itself.
Wan Yuk Yi, CCC Heep Woh College
Window cleaning  for the soul
Our eyes are the windows to our soul. Therefore we must protect them.
First, we need to ensure our eyes are healthy. Simple exercise and a healthy diet can reduce the deterioration of eyesight and even improve our vision.
We should eat more fruits and vegetables, especially red, orange and yellow foods which are said to improve eyesight.
Exercise is important to increasing blood circulation. We can also gently massage around the eyes to improve circulation.
At the same time we should watch less TV and ensure the room is properly lit when we are reading or studying.
We shouldn't watch TV or use the computer for more than 30 minutes without taking a break, and we should sit reasonably far away from the screen.
If we follow these simple steps, we will have healthy eyes and be able to let our souls shine out through the windows.
Amy, Leung Shek Chee College
Love is the greatest gift parents can give
Love is the key to life. Loving their children is the greatest gift parents can give. Hopefully all parents see their children as a blessing, and are prepared to do anything to prove their love.
But love is not the same as giving children whatever they want. While it's important to ensure a child is safe and happy, parents should not spoil their children. They should not  give in to unreasonable demands.
Children must be raised to learn the importance of achieving things for themselves and fulfilling their own desires. Otherwise they could become uncreative, lazy, and very demanding.
Loving a child and fulfilling their desires are two different things. Parents need to be creative enough to strike a healthy balance. There's no such thing as too much love, but giving a child everything he or she asks for isn't helpful in the long run.
Zunaira, California School



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