Looking at teenagers from afar, no one really notices how complicated our minds actually are. They tend to stereotype us as 'surly', 'unco-operative', 'lazy' and 'argumentative'.

They don't realise how complex we are and there are only too many things that crowd our minds. I mean, our problems may not be as important as world hunger or planning what to do about the wars that go on in the world today, but being cool is one of the problems that haunt every teenager.

What is cool? Is it being the star of a play or a footballer and having everyone at your feet? Or is it simply being unique and friendly? Perhaps it's living a gangster's life and all its problems.

Maybe being cool just depends on what you're into, like being a mosha or a townie or, for many teenage Asians out there, imitating your favourite rapper like Eminem or MC something or the other. If you don't know what I'm saying, well, you're definitely not cool.

I'm 15 and I still don't know what cool is. It's one of those things that remains a problem throughout one's life. You can never really define what it is; yet you are constantly aware of whether or not you are 'cool'.

Researching, I've been told and I quote, 'It's wearing nice clothes and being popular.' And, 'It's going to the right parties, having a boyfriend you've done "it" with.' So I ask, 'What about having talent, you know, writing and stuff?' and the reply, 'That's a geek thing, isn't it?' though I wasn't offended, many people in my shoes would be. I suppose being put down can diminish self-esteem and teenagers are not noted for their high self- esteem in the first place!

So, the next time you look at a crowd of teenagers, don't lump us into stereotypical groups, but stop to think that within everyone of us, there might just be a Kurt Cobain, an Oscar Wilde, a Naomi Campbell or some other famous person half the world hasn't heard of.

By Shejuti Ipshita

Ahmed - Aged 15