Page 40 - kaleidoscope 2024 - 20.3.25

GROUP 5
First Runner-Up:
LOW ZEE LAM
Class: 5 AC Zhong
accept challenges that I would not before just to show Popo how strong I am. I decided to
become a doctor in the future to save as many lives as possible.
“Fell behind my classmates and I ended up here...” the lyrics from “This is me trying”
by Taylor Swift perfectly encapsulates my feelings when school reopens after the pandemic.
I missed a whole semester of classes as I was struggling with depression. I found myself
stranded alone with no one to help me, far behind my classmates. I failed most subjects
and was forced to retake all of the classes. I was really anguished and frustrated, I even
thought of dropping out of school, but my father, who I am eternally grateful for, convinced
me to continue my studies. He would sacrifice his rest to help me with my homework, give
me encouragement when I met an obstacle and cheer for me with every achievement. He
is always there to support me. I became determined in school and slowly caught up to the
curriculum. I am now one of the top achievers in every subject and graduated Junior Middle
with cum laude.
“Isn’t the moon dark too, most of the time? And doesn’t the white page seem
unfinished, without the dark stains of alphabets?” This poem “Why Are Your Poems so
Dark?” by Linda Pastan conveyed the beauty of challenges in our life really well. Wouldn’t
our life be missing a piece without challenges? Without the dark and melancholy, how could
we truly appreciate the wonders of life? We should learn to appreciate these challenges and
face them with unwavering determination and dedication. As long as the moon rises, the
sun shines, and the earth keeps spinning, I shall keep trying!
38 ......... English Essay Writing Competition
– SENIOR MIDDLE 2
Health issues among
teenagers
are increasingly
recognised
as a critical concern.
What are the various factors contributing to the prevalence
of health problems in this age group?
In this current time and age, society is getting seemingly concerned about teenagers,
and more specifically their health problems. Teenagers’ health seems to be declining
the closer they are to becoming young adults. The various factors that contribute to the
prevalence of health issues in this age group can be divided into two categories, mainly
lifestyle choices and peer pressure.
Starting with the first factor: irregular sleeping habits. Nowadays, we can see plenty
of night owls roaming about the Internet at three o’clock in the morning, and most of them
are likely to be teenagers. These youngsters opt for staying up late at night to pursue their
hobbies and then sleep until the sun is right above their heads. Another case for irregular
sleeping schedules among teenagers may also be overly busy schedules. Some students,
most likely those who are active in co-curricular activities, put a lot of their time and effort
into planning activities, leaving barely any time for schoolwork and studying. Yet, in order to
maintain good grades, they are willing to sacrifice their sleep just to study for a couple more
hours. Hence, teenagers nowadays are lacking sleep, and this is where many of their health
issues sprout. According to research, lack of sleep can cause headaches, difficulty focusing,
and cardiovascular diseases. Sleep is an important part of one’s life, allowing one’s body
to rest and get some fresh air before spiralling into action once again.
Apart from irregular sleeping habits, teenagers with busy schedules often struggle to
find time to eat properly. With dozens of meetings to attend, piles of schoolwork to complete,
and the stress of preparing for major examinations, some students barely prioritize their
health, viewing a missed meal as no big deal. However, when the habits of skipping meals
English Essay Writing Competition ......... 39