Letter of the week

FRIENDLY FACES

I was so excited when school started again because I knew that I would meet new friends. I like to make friends with other students. I always ask their name and the name of their old school. They ask me the same, and I start to make new friends.

Sometimes I feel sad because I miss my old friends. They used to be with me all the time, but now they're in a different class. I will get to know my new friends until we are close like my old friends and I used to be.

Suratchada Treamchumporn, Phetchaburi

You've got a great attitude, Suratchada. Moving on and making new friends can be challenging, but it's also a fact of life. Nothing ever stays the same, and the way that we face new challenges is a key to how happy and fulfilling our lives are. Soon enough, your new friends will become just as close as your old friends were. Good work. - Editor

SCHOOL STRESS

I'm studying in the English programme at Nongchang Witthaya School. It is very difficult. We always have tests, so if you miss a class, you can't understand the questions. But if you love learning, it's fun and not too stressful.

My friends in this programme are a bit stressed and worried. Some of them cry and get headaches. I think that their parents pressure them a lot, but some of them also put pressure on themselves. This can cause stress and tension. I would like to help my friends. I believe that nothing is too difficult if you try to do your best.

Pimchanok Pathomtong, Uthai Thani

It's great that you want to help your friends, Pimchanok. Everybody deals with stress differently, and sometimes we need assistance getting through the tough times. Maybe you can give your friends a hand with their studies. Also don't forget that having time to unwind, doing something fun or relaxing is also a great way to depressurise so that you've got more energy and a better mindset to help you tackle the stressful times. - Editor

WISE GUY

My nickname is Guy. I go to Woranari Chaloem School in Songkhla. This if my third letter to SW.

I have been talking with my friends and teachers about SW, and we think that SW should have some articles from students.

We think that letters to the editor is not enough.

Chanon Pongpanich, Songkhla

Thanks for the input, Guy. I agree that articles by students are a great idea. In fact, it's such a great idea that we here at SW had it quite a few years ago. We have a special section called "Your Story, Your Style" that's specifically set aside for students to tell their own stories. You may have noticed that it doesn't run often. That's because it depends on students writing to us to propose new story ideas, which just doesn't happen often. If you or your friends - or anybody who reads this magazine, for that matter - has a story to tell and would like to see it in print, just email it to us. We'll give it a look and help you get it ready. Remember, we want personal stories about the interesting things in your life that you've seen and done - and all stories need to be illustrated with your own photos. So get out there, do something interesting, take photos and get writing. - Editor

	close (adj): knowing somebody very well and liking them very much stressful (adj): causing a lot of worry and anxiety tension (n): a feeling of anxiety and stress that makes it impossible to relax a hand: (n): help in doing something depressurise (v): to stop worrying or thinking about problems and start to relax mindset (n): a set of attitudes or fixed ideas that somebody has input (n): time, knowledge, ideas, etc. that you put into work, a project, etc. illustrate (v): to use pictures, photographs, etc. in a book, etc.

We want to hear from you! For pen pals, letters and any general comments you have about Student Weekly, contact us at Bangkok Post Student Weekly, Bangkok Post Building, 136 Na Ranong Road, Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110. You can also email us at  student-weekly@bangkokpost.co.th. Your words must be your own (except for quotations and well-known proverbs or sayings) and they may be edited. Letters of the Week win a prize of 150 baht.

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