PETALING JAYA, Malaysia - Generation Y "dragon babies" are dispelling the myth of an easy life for those born under the zodiac sign of the legendary mighty creature.

Post-graduate student Low Min Hui recalls how the baby boom brought about by the zodiac sign had affected her entry into secondary school 11 years ago.

"The school had to open up to five additional classes because there were so many of us born in the same year (1988).

"One of my relatives also remarked that having dragon babies' was not practical because she remembered many hospitals being fully booked that year," said Low, who attended a private Chinese high school.

Marketing executive Ng Siow May also faced a similar difficulty, citing greater competition in attaining scholarships during her year in college.

"I think it is not a good idea for parents to insist on having a baby in the year of the dragon there are many other factors to consider beyond the zodiac sign," said Ng, adding that the hype about the dragon year was often drummed by people born outside the zodiac sign, who considered an association with the mythical creature as "cool".

Engineering student David Leong did not mind being a "dragon baby" but neither did he think his life was affected by it.

"Success is achieved by hard work and talent.

"It does not come served on a silver platter just because you were born with the star sign that predicts you will be successful," said Leong said.

Others, like tax consultant Michelle Hoe, remain hopeful that the year of the dragon will bring good tidings.

"I scored my best results in a public exam when I was 12, in the year of the dragon.

"The return of the dragon year motivates me to do well because I see it as my year to succeed," Hoe said with a laugh.

The auspicious horoscope typically invites more parents-to-be to plan for newborns in the dragon year.

The Year of the Dragon recurs every 12 years in the lunar calendar cycle and will make a comeback when the Chinese community ushers in its new year this Jan 23.