Talk about a time when you gave advice to someone
- Who you gave advice to
- What advice was
- Why you gave the advice
- And how you feel about the advice?
Vocab/Idioms
- Constantly → all the time
- Anxious → worried feeling
- Half the battle lost → confidence gone
- Setbacks → temporary failures
- Part and parcel → natural part
- Go downhill → become worse
- Weather the storm → handle difficulties
- Game changer → big impact
Advice can sometimes make a big difference in a person’s life. I’d like to talk about a time when I gave advice to a close friend who was preparing for a major examination.
At that point in his life, he was under a great deal of pressure and constantly doubted his own abilities. Even though he was putting in a lot of effort, he felt that nothing was working in his favour. Because of this, he became anxious and gradually started losing confidence in himself.
The advice I gave him was quite simple but very effective. I encouraged him to believe in himself and remain confident, even when things were not going according to plan. I told him that losing confidence is half the battle lost and that setbacks are part and parcel of success. I also reminded him that every successful person goes through ups and downs before achieving their goals.
I gave him this advice because he was getting discouraged over minor failures. As a result, he began to lose focus, and his performance started to go downhill. I wanted him to understand that self-belief is the backbone of success and that confidence helps people weather the storm during difficult times.
Thankfully, he took my advice to heart. Gradually, he developed a more positive mindset and started working harder with renewed confidence and determination. Over time, his attitude changed completely, and he became more focused and motivated.
All in all, I felt extremely happy and proud after seeing this transformation. This experience taught me that confidence can be a real game-changer and that the right advice at the right time can put someone back on the right track. That was the time when I gave meaningful advice to someone close to me.
Follow-ups
1. What kind of advice do parents give to their children?
Generally speaking, parents give practical and value-based advice. They usually guide children about education, behaviour, health, and safety. For example, parents often advise their children to study regularly, respect elders, and stay away from bad company. At the end of the day, parents speak from experience and want the best for their children.
2. How do experts give advice to others?
In most cases, experts give advice in a professional and evidence-based way. They rely on training, research, and real-world experience. For instance, a doctor suggests treatment after examining a patient, while a career counsellor recommends options based on skills. In short, expert advice is usually clear, logical, and goal-oriented.
3. What advice do parents give to teenagers about making friends?
When it comes to friendships, parents usually encourage teenagers to choose friends wisely. They often advise them to avoid negative influences and build friendships with honest and supportive people. For example, parents may say, “Good friends bring out the best in you.” After all, peer influence can make or break a teenager’s future.
4. Whose advice is more helpful, parents or friends?
In my opinion, parents’ advice is generally more reliable because it is long-term and based on life experience. However, friends’ advice can be useful in emotional or day-to-day situations. For example, friends understand current trends better, while parents see the bigger picture. So, it’s best to strike a balance and take advice wisely from both.


