TOUGH SPOTS

I have a really serious pimple problem. I�m a teenager, and so I have pimples on my face. It makes me insecure, and I don�t like myself.

I tried to solve this on several occasions by cleaning my face with water, but it didn�t help. I don�t like this, so I went to a doctor.

Now I apply medicine every day, and my skin is better. I want to advise other teenagers to do this, too.

Panchanit Sammanee, Songkhla

That�s good advice, Panchanit. Unfortunately, pimples are a common problem for a lot of teenagers. During your teen years, your body is going through all kinds of changes that are caused by hormones, and changes in hormone activity are the main cause of acne in teens. While everybody has a breakout once in a while, some people are cursed with severe acne and need to see a professional. I�m glad that your trip to the doctor seems to be helping. Anybody who needs some helpful advice about how prevent and treat pimples � and tips on how to deal with the stress and insecurity that acne can cause � should go to the teen section of http://www.kidshealth.org. Good luck. � Editor

CHANGE OF HEART

My nickname is Pop. I�m 14 years old and I study at Kannasootsuksalai School. I didn�t used to like learning English. I found it very hard to understand.

I decided to have a more positive attitude and to try to love English. Now I love this subject, and I find it easier to comprehend. I�m very happy learning English.

Siriwimon Karapong, Suphan Buri

It�s great that you�ve developed a love for English, Pop. Hopefully we here at Student Weekly have helped in our own small way. It just goes to show that making a decision to change your attitude can really make a difference. You�ll find that the approach you chose to take regarding English will serve you well all your life. � Editor

SCIENCE SCHOOL

I�m in Matayom 3, and I need to find a new school for Matayom 4. I would like to go to Mahidolwitayanuworn School. I think that it�s a good school for science. I love science because it teaches me about the world.

The test to get into this school is very hard. I will try to study more science and mathematics and fight for it.

Kanokpat Iemsakun, Suphan Buri

That�s great, Kanokpat. The proper mindset is crucial to achieving your goals, and you�ve already committed to working hard and fighting for what you want. It�s fantastic that you want to study science. Without scientists we wouldn�t have nifty high-tech stuff like iPods, cloned dogs and nuclear warheads! Keep up the good work. � Editor

pimple (n): a small raised spot on the skin
insecure (adj): not confident about yourself or your relationships with other people
hormone (n): a chemical substance produced in the body that encourages growth
cursed with (phrasal v): to continuously suffer from or be affected by something bad
comprehend (v): to understand something fully
attitude (n): the way that you think and feel about somebody or something
mindset (n): a set of attitudes or fixed ideas that somebody has
crucial (adj): extremely important

Idiom

it goes to show: used to say that something proves something

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