Write to Win (Round 4): What product would you stock up on if it was being discontinued?
Our writing contest starts with 10 students, who are eliminated one at a time based on your votes and YP editors’ picks
What would you stock up on? Photo: ShutterstockRead the responses to this week’s Write to Win prompt, and choose the answer you like most on this form.
February: It has to be Pokémon trading cards, which hold so many of my childhood memories. I used to love every part of Pokémon so much. However, with the change in the main character and my getting older, I feel like my enthusiasm for the series started to fade. Still, whenever I look at the Pokémon cards, I am mesmerised by the wonderful artwork. The characters’ expressions always bring me joy. Moreover, those cards connected me with schoolmates of different ages, helping me start new friendships. Being unable to buy them any more, I could still open a pack I had stockpiled, flip through my collection book and rekindle the glittering memories they represent.
March: If you told me, “Headphones are not going to be sold any more!” I would be devastated. So they would definitely be my pick. Imagine never being able to lose yourself in music again. Sure, you could argue that music sounds just fine without headphones, but for me, noise cancellation is extremely important. All the distracting sounds around me, like bustling cafes or crowded trains, make me anxious. Noise-cancelling headphones are perfect for travel and truly enhance my listening experience. I basically use my worn-out pair of headphones daily, and if I were unable to replace them – say, if I broke them – all my bliss would be gone in an instant. Just envision missing out on your favourite playlist due to headphones being discontinued.
May: The price of any product would sharply increase if it were not available on the market any more, so I would choose something already somewhat valued by collectors around the globe. That would be trading cards. As a broke secondary school student, I desperately need money. I could stock up and play a long waiting game. Once there are no more or only a few trading cards being sold, I would slowly sell my cards one at a time to bring in as much money as possible. In addition, trading cards have been a childhood pastime of mine, and I have always wanted to collect them. This would give me a chance to fulfil my childhood fixation and make enough money for future use.
Write to Win (Round 3): What would you change about your school’s schedule?
June: Everyone has important memories and different ways to store them. If it were not being sold any more, I would choose to stock up on paper. Nowadays, most people take photos, voice recordings or videos of significant events. However, I have always enjoyed jotting down my memories, feelings or thoughts on paper in a journal. Hearing the rustle of pages turning, the subtle smell of sheets and the crisp feeling between my fingers as I brush over the paper all evoke a sense of nostalgia and connection to my past sentiments. Without paper, I would not have this luxury. And just in case the digital world where everyone saved their memories disappeared, I would still have a keepsake of history right by my side.
August: If we could no longer buy ice cream, stocking up before it stopped being sold would be a great option for several reasons. Many people love ice cream and have good memories of eating it. Saving some of this frozen dessert would make it possible to still taste its sweet and comforting taste, even after it is no longer sold. Keeping ice cream or different flavours might also become popular with collectors, which might make it worth more over time. Stocking up on ice cream would allow me to still enjoy this dessert and share – or trade – it with others.
October: I would definitely stock up on loads of breakfast cereal. One of my core childhood memories is enjoying a large bowl of cereal with milk while adding a miniature figure from the box to my collection. Even now, it is a comfort food of mine, with every crunchy bite bringing back tons of memories. It is also a quick meal option when I don’t know what to eat. If it were to never be sold again, I would be devastated for some time, so I would stock up on boxes to keep me company while I move on. Although, I would make sure to check the expiration date before buying.