Top 10: Which month would you eliminate from the calendar, and why?
Students debate eliminating months from the calendar, citing exams, heat and lack of holidays as reasons for their choices.
Students share which month they would eliminate from the calendar and why, citing reasons like exams, lack of holidays, and extreme weather. Photo: Shutterstock This week’s question: “What is a Lunar New Year greeting with a meaning you prefer over Gung Hei Fat Choi?” To take part, drop us a line via this form by 12pm on Wednesday, January 29.
Ying Lai-yan, 16, PLK Mrs Ma Kam Ming – Cheung Fook Sien College: There is no denying that I want to eliminate September the most, and I have three reasons for this. As a student, I dread the arrival of a new academic year, which can feel like a nightmare for students. Second, there are no days off in September. It is a hectic month filled with learning new concepts. Without any holidays, I feel like I am going to become a withering leaf from all the stress.
Finally, the main reason I want to avoid September is that teachers often ask us to introduce ourselves or share special experiences from our summer holidays. I had a terrible experience with this before. Once, I shared that I accidentally stepped in dog poop, and my classmates laughed at me. I really do not want to relive that embarrassing moment again.
Jasmine Chan Wan-sum, 13, St Paul’s Convent School: I would choose August. I know, if that really happens, we’ll all lose a month of our summer holiday, but that is precisely what I want. I am always ecstatic about starting a new school year as it symbolises a fresh start. Without August, I could finally skip the long wait and go straight to September. For me, the month of August is usually spent staying at home and working anyway.
Charissa Wong, 12, St Stephen’s Girls’ College: June is often seen as a challenging month because it is when final exams take place, and there are no school holidays. Eliminating June would allow us to start our summer holiday earlier. Personally, I find June to be the most boring month of the year. It would be great to have June removed from the calendar.
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Athena Chu Sin-yan, 15, Kowloon True Light School: I might choose March as my least favourite month. It often lacks major holidays compared to other months, such as December with Christmas or February with Lunar New Year. Additionally, March can be a transitional month, with unpredictable weather that doesn’t always inspire celebration or excitement. Moreover, other months like February hold special significance for me as it’s my birthday, while March is the only month where I don’t know anyone’s birthday.
Star Lam Sum-yuet, 13, Christ College: February has only 28 or 29 days, which means it could be considered for elimination from the calendar. Also, most people like January because it is the first month of the year, but February is the second month. As a result, some might argue that February is not as significant.
Kenny Lau, 13, King Ling College: I would like to eliminate November from the calendar. November is considered a “non-holiday month”, because except for Saturdays and Sundays, there aren’t any public holidays. Also, tests are conducted at my school every Monday, so I must study instead of relax. Therefore, I believe it would be beneficial to eliminate November, as there are no holidays for me to take a break.
Abbie Lam Hoi-ching, 15, Christian Alliance S.C. Chan Memorial College: I want to eliminate June from the calendar, not only because of the hot weather, but also because it coincides with exam season. Starting in the first week of June, our school assigns a significant amount of homework and extra lessons.
As students, we don’t have time to rest until the end of the exam. Even after the exams, we are still left to endure the sweltering heat with exhausted minds. You might argue that we can at least look forward to the summer holidays at the end of June, but that’s not the reality. The truth is, in Hong Kong, senior secondary students will reflect on how they have performed in the exam and will have to face extra lessons. What a tough 30 days.
Sam Lee Sum-sing, 12 Hong Kong Tang King Po College: I would choose to delete August. It is usually the hottest month of summer, with temperatures in Hong Kong that can be unbearable. Additionally, August marks the peak of the typhoon season, bringing intense storms and heavy rain that can lead to flooding and significant damage. Eliminating August could help reduce these troubles and threats. Furthermore, August signals the end of the summer holidays as students prepare for the upcoming semester or work commitments. Removing August would allow everyone to enter the state of productivity earlier and improve overall efficiency.
Charis Chan, 15, Malvern College Hong Kong: I would eliminate November. The month lacks enjoyable festivals and feels torturous. After Halloween, we are left waiting a whole month for the fun of Christmas. While malls and streets are decorated for both holidays, it only serves as a reminder that we have to endure a long stretch without any public holidays, apart from our weekends.
Cailyn Wong Ching-kiu, 12, Holy Angels Canossian School: March is the worst month for me since there are exams and no holidays. I can’t afford to slack off even on weekends since I have to attend the extracurricular classes my parents have enrolled me in. During exam week, I find it particularly difficult to get any rest; I study for at least eight hours a day to prepare for my exams, which is exhausting. It would be a relief to have one less exam week. That’s why I would choose March as the worst month of the year.