15 Jun 2017

Amid your exams and assignments, you’ve probably started to neglect a couple of pretty important things like adequate sleep and sunshine.

This is a sign to cut yourself some slack, put things in perspective and remember what’s more important than your final mark.

1. The good stuff

The Netflix binges, the going out with friends, the late night Maccas and Kmart runs, the hours spent scrolling through Instagram, rewatching your favourite movies and TV shows, 18ths where you get too drunk on the cheapest alcohol you can find, nights where you have to be deso and buy everyone Big Macs on the way home, Snapchat streaks, scoring a goal on the weekend, the classes where your teacher is as done as you are and spends the lesson showing a movie, selfies and Harry Potter marathons.

Right now, all your blood, sweat and tears are geared towards the number that is meant to define what you do for the rest of your life. But the good stuff is going to make up your teenage years–it’s important, so don’t push it to the side.

2. Your physical and mental health

Unsurprisingly, no sleep, shit food and endless amounts of coffee aren’t good for your health. Neither is extreme levels of stress or freaking out about your exams–but you knew that already, right? Take it easy on yourself. Have a nap, drink some water and eat something that isn’t 99% sugar or fat. When everything is over, the symptoms of burn out will stick with you whether you like it or not and what’s important is making sure you get through–so ease up a bit.

3. Your family and friends

It’s easy to get buried under all the revision you need to be doing in the lead up to exams (alright, let’s be real, this is the first time you’re learning the content). But neglecting your fam is one of the worst things you can do. Your family and friends are infinitely more important than whatever your final mark ends up being.

Remember, as annoying as your little brother is when he snitches on you, or your parents when they ask to see the school report that you’ve been hiding in the bottom of your school bag for weeks, they’re the ones that are going to be there when you come out the other side of your exams.

Don’t neglect your friends either–you’re in this thing together and even though you’re all focused on your own stuff, you’ll need each other to get through life before and after the ATAR.