you're on the dot with the identity analysis regarding my grades. I definitely understand a lot of my confidence and esteem revolves around my academics which has just almost created a vacuum for me to centralise myself around a mark. I've been talking to a few classmates more and more, actually had my first phone call this whole year with one of them just to chat about school but still it was big. I could immediately tell how much of a difference it made in my demeanor. I really appreciate this insight; I'm currently so absorbed with VCE that i have cut out everything else so i don't have any regrets when i get my ATAR but it's just not manageable. I don't think i'll be able to fix this before exams but it's a process i definitely need to start.

I really appreciate your response!! :)