Talking points: If I could change one thing about myself, what would it be?

I would exchange the "shy" side of me for the ability to appear more confident. Many people tell me that I seem shy and that I don't really have much self-esteem. I don't think this is true, though. I do believe in my own abilities, but I just don't show it off as clearly as some others do. I think my ultimate goal is to be humble but to appear confident at the same time.

Janet Choi, 17, HKU Space Po Leung Kuk Community College

Well, I know everyone should treasure their talents and not complain about their deficiencies. However, if I could change one thing about myself, it would be to become a fluent speaker - in another language. My younger sister has a special talent for imitating other people's accents. We believe this benefits her in many ways, especially when learning foreign languages and singing songs.

After compiling the information for a story about learning foreign languages in Hong Kong, I'm considering learning another European language in addition to English. French or German would be a good choice. So if I could change one thing, it would be to have a "silver tongue" like my younger sister.

Alex Chan, 17, University College London

I'd like to remove the icy layer that surrounds the inner me, because my personality is considerably warmer. People always tell me their first impression is that I'm a block of wood, I'm passive and I'm cool (not the fashionably cool, but the personality cool, the uncaring cool). Actually, I'm quite active, and I enjoy the company of others, but you need to break through all that ice to reach that. So I'd like to remove that layer of ice.

Minal Daswani, 17, Island School

I would probably get rid of my laziness. I keep putting things off. I like getting up really late whenever I can, so I end up not utilising my morning fully. I also should spend more time studying or revising than I do at the moment. It takes me some time to get going because I am distracted by other things such as Facebook and e-mail.

Coco Ma, 16, St Paul's Co-educational College

I would probably change a personality trait, with a lot of people telling me I need to slow down a little. People around me always say I am working or walking too fast, and I'm always in a hurry. Even if an event is happening at 4pm, I have to leave at 2pm, just in case there's a traffic jam. I think I am late if I arrive at 3.50pm, and I am constantly telling my friends to walk faster. I put a lot of pressure on my family and friends when I do that.