Read the responses to this week’s Write to Win prompt and vote for the answer you like most using this form. The deadline for voting is 12pm on Tuesday, October 6.
Mercury: Twelve years old was definitely a golden age for me because that was the year I transitioned to Form One. In my school, most students automatically move up to the secondary section. I remember the exact moment the realisation hit me: all my best friends were going to the same school. The sheer relief and excitement were indescribable. I was bursting with joy, knowing our friendship wouldn’t be cut short by going to different schools. We didn’t have to say heartbreaking goodbyes or face the intimidating world alone. Instead, we got to keep our daily routines intact. We could still meet at the same bus stop, eat lunch together and spend our commuting time laughing and gossiping.
Jupiter: My favourite age has always been six. In 2019, my family planned a holiday to Langkawi, Malaysia, which became one of my earliest and most cherished memories. We visited the archipelago’s famous Kilim Geoforest Park and savoured the city’s fragrant coconut rice dishes. I remember the little details vividly – like the hotel manager’s advice on handling mischievous monkeys and my six-year-old self running towards the balcony, only to collide face-first with the glass door. That trip remains unforgettable not just for the memories I made, but also because it was my last holiday before Covid-19 reshaped our lives. For me, being six meant experiencing joy, curiosity and family bonds that I will always treasure.
Venus: My favourite age was 12 because it strikes the perfect balance between childhood and independence. At 12, I officially became a pre-teen. I was old enough to hang out with friends on my own and even grab lunch for myself, which made me feel like an “adult in training”. I could enjoy staying up a bit later and try to understand adult conversations. However, the best part is that I still qualified for cheaper children’s tickets at theme parks and cinemas. At the same time, I did not have to worry about academics before starting secondary school. I got a taste of freedom while feeling grown-up.
Mars: My favourite age was 13, the year I was in Form Two. Now, as a Form Three student facing the immense pressure of choosing elective subjects, I often long for that carefree time. At 12, I was still adapting to the new secondary school environment and making friends. By the time I turned 13, although I still had schoolwork, it was much lighter, allowing me plenty of time to have fun with my friends. We grew incredibly close and made every school day memorable. After school, we would play volleyball and enjoy dessert together. In that wonderful year, true companionship blossomed without the weight of heavy academic stress. It remains the ultimate oasis of my early teenage years.
Neptune: Every moment in life can only be felt and lived once. While I can’t deny that my childhood was perhaps the most peaceful period of my life, it pales in comparison to the calamity and excitement I experience now at 17. As much as I cherished those earlier years, they are behind me. The new opportunities I have and the thrill of not knowing what comes next or who I will meet make this age my favourite, even though managing lessons and extracurricular activities is much more challenging. Ultimately, it’s not just the memories that make 17 my favourite age; it’s the fact that I am living in this moment that makes it so valuable.
Earth: Seventeen is my favourite age because it holds a sense of nostalgic magic. I have always been afraid of growing up, so this age feels like a precious sanctuary – a final line before the heavy expectations of the adult world take over completely. For me, this age exists in a delicate balance between the carefree days of youth and the impending dawn of adulthood. It is particularly special because this is when my world has begun to change. It is the time when I have started to take on real responsibilities, such as making important decisions about my future and universities. These experiences at 17 represent a beautiful, fleeting threshold where I can still enjoy being a teenager while gradually transitioning into adulthood.
