All I’ve ever wanted is straight A’s. I would actually go as far as to say I’m obsessed with getting straight A’s. I love to work hard because I love to see the results of my work through my grades. But as I’m writing this on a Sunday night after spending my entire weekend studying, I don’t feel good. I don’t feel like my hard work is going towards something. I don’t feel like the motivated student I once was. It’s hard to remember what I’m doing this all for. I spent the whole weekend studying and barely saw my family or friends. The weeks just feel like an endless cycle. I feel burnt out. Sound familiar?

As a student who likes to challenge myself in difficult classes and has unrealistic expectations, finals season can be the trenches. There is a lot of pressure to maintain good grades in AP and honors classes because of the burden of grades supposedly defining our future.

Because of the approaching finals season, it can be difficult to find a purpose outside of school work and grades. Regardless of the academic rigor of your classes, it’s important to remember to not define your worth by your grades. While this is something that I’ve struggled with my whole life, it’s never too late to learn the small things we can do to maintain good mental health, especially under the pressure of finals. 

If you are a person like me who believes that burning the midnight oil is the answer to doing well on an exam, think again. In a study by Washington University, it was revealed that students who had a consistent, good night’s sleep had higher GPAs than students who didn’t get as much sleep. Although it can be easy for your work to absorb you, it’s a good idea to set a nightly deadline for when it’s time to stop work and get some rest. No matter how much homework you have or how much cramming you have to do the night before an exam, you are better off just going to sleep than staying up until 2 am.

During finals week, there is also definitely the urge to lock yourself inside all day, turn your phone on do not disturb, and work on homework for hours at a time. While this is productive, it’s just as important to take frequent, productive breaks while studying. While the term “productive break” may seem like an oxymoron of sorts, these breaks can improve focus. 

And then there is our friendly foe: technology. Many people, myself included, fall into the habit of scrolling endlessly on social media as a break. Though mindlessly watching TikToks and refreshing Instagram can take your mind off of studies, it can also absorb way more time than you anticipate. When I start to feel unfocused during a study session, I go outside and walk around my neighborhood for ten minutes just to get moving and feel the fresh air. Exercise produces endorphins which can make you feel happier and more productive. 

Studying and getting high grades feels good, we all know it. However, studying and then not getting the grades we wanted doesn’t feel good, we all know it. In this case, it’s important to understand that our grades don’t define us. I know that’s a cliche we hear from adults, especially towards the end of the semester, but it’s true. As a junior, I’ve been having to find lots of acceptance in the fact that school only gets harder. Yet, exams are just a snapshot of our effort throughout the entire year. Acknowledge how much effort you invested in your classes during the semester and be proud of that.

So next time you find yourself locked away in your room studying, spending every moment of every day thinking about grades and classes, or calculating what it takes to get an A, consider other aspects of your life. At the end of the day, you have to ask yourself: is the A really worth it? Think about your friends and family, your hobbies, your extracurricular activities, and your passions. You can’t ignore the best parts of your life just for a grade. You will survive. 

It’s important to just live in the moment. The future is far. You’re only a high schooler once. Be present and strive for balance rather than running yourself into the ground for a test.