Grades, Stress, and Relaxation

Recently I've hit a low point of my academic career where I just can't seem to get a higher grade in a class no matter how much I study or how hard I work. It might be me, but I sure as hope it's not. I know it is unhealthy to take grades or test scores personally, but it is difficult not to. So far I'm trying to come to terms with myself and forget about grades and just enjoy learning, but that's easier said than done. I'm a very pragmatic person, and thinking about the future (future schooling, future jobs, future life) automatically brings my mind back to grades. I envision a world where we are not evaluated on a numerical scale, but that brings up practical problems as well. The only consolation I can give myself is life is more than grades. Happiness is a subjective and controllable feeling, yet it is the most important part of life. I'm going to stop doing things that make me unhappy, such as feeling bad about grades or fearing for my future. Who knows what will happen in the future. I can plan for it, but not everything is always going to follow my plans, so be it. I'm going to laugh at my inability to get a higher grade and enjoy the hours I spent studying, because it could be worse, and I'd rather be happy than sad. A moment you spend being sad is a moment you waste not being happy. Now I just have to put that to practice. Maybe I should spend more time relaxing and looking at pictures of nature. Here's a picture of a place your mind can get lost in: