Question: Write a speech to be delivered at your school assembly on the need for students to avoid bad company.
The Principal, teachers, fellow students, ladies and gentlemen, good morning.
I am grateful for the opportunity to address you this morning on a topic that is very important to our growth and future — the need for students to avoid bad company.
There is an old saying: “Show me your friends, and I will tell you who you are.” This means that the people we associate with have a strong influence on the kind of persons we become. As students, our choice of friends can determine whether we succeed or fail in life.
Firstly, bad company leads to bad habits. Students who keep friends that lie, steal, or cheat will soon be tempted to do the same. A disciplined student who mingles with lazy or stubborn classmates may eventually lose focus and become like them.
Secondly, bad company encourages examination malpractice and dishonesty. Friends who promote shortcuts in life will push others to join them in cheating during exams or engaging in fraudulent activities. This not only damages the future of such students but also brings shame to their families and schools.
Thirdly, bad company exposes students to dangerous vices such as cultism, drug abuse, and internet fraud. These activities often start as peer pressure but later ruin lives. Many young people have lost their education, freedom, and even lives because of the friends they kept.
On the other hand, good company builds character and success. When you walk with disciplined, hardworking, and focused friends, you are encouraged to study harder, aim higher, and live responsibly. Good friends correct you when you are wrong and support you when you are right.
Fellow students, our future depends largely on the choices we make today. If we surround ourselves with the right people, success will surely follow us. But if we walk with the wrong crowd, we risk destroying our dreams.
In conclusion, let us always remember that a single wrong friend can ruin a lifetime of effort. Let us choose our friends wisely, avoid bad company, and embrace relationships that will lead us to success and greatness.
Thank you and God bless.
Examiner’s Expectations
- Clear salutation and statement of topic.
- At least three dangers of bad company (bad habits, malpractice, vices).
- Contrast with advantages of good company.
- Logical flow and strong conclusion.
- Word count: 450+ words.
Tips for Students
- Use proverbs or sayings (e.g., Show me your friends…).
- Balance negatives with positive alternatives.
- End with a moral appeal for wise choices.