When the focus becomes on the outcome of grades, the process of learning loses its joy. Less efficient cognitive functioning. Anxiety reduces your ability to concentrate. If you are obsessed with your performance, you have fewer cognitive resources to allocate to legitimate studying. Physical and psychological stress.
Prolonged anxiety can lead to stress .
Stress produces biochemical changes which increase cortisol and adrenaline levels in your blood. Over time, this can cause physical damage like ulcers, headaches, high blood pressure, digestive problems, and depression. Some people are so anxious over grades that they intentionally register for easier courses. This GPA driven registration strategy defeats the purpose of undergraduate education. By focusing on easy classes, a student using this strategy misses out on topics that they might find inherently interesting and fulfilling.