By Joshua Rong

You have new stuff for school but it seems such a waste to just throw out last year's materials. Here's how to put them to good use:

• YOUR STATIONERY

Open up your dried-out pen and empty it of the pieces inside. Place a fun note in the barrel of the pen, for your own secret note-holder! To pass it around, have a friend ask: "May I borrow your pen?"

• YOUR SCHOOL SHOES

Those white portions make a great canvas for your artistic doodles - use highlighters, markers, whatever, to turn boring white shoes into fantastic outdoor footwear! Alternatively, fill them with soil...and voila, a plant pot with a difference.

• YOUR SCHOOL YEARBOOK

Cut out your friends' faces to make a small collage for memories - or stick them on a dartboard for stress-relief practice.

• LAST YEAR'S REVISION WORKSHEETS.

Cut them up and make easy-to-read quiz cards, or use them as wrapping paper for birthday presents.

• YOUR SCHOOL UNIFORM

Don't throw it out when you've outgrown it! Some schools will take donations of old uniforms to pass on to those who can't afford new ones. Or take some needle and thread to it and transform it into a Halloween costume. Vist sites like ehow.com for some ideas.

This article was first published in The Straits Times.