I very much agree on what you say. In fact I'd been in similar situation. So having thought about this a lot too, I'm thinking more and more often that it might

I very much agree on what you say. In fact I'd been in similar situation. So having thought about this a lot too, I'm thinking more and more often that it might make sense to do things even if it's "just" going to be mediocre. We don't have to strive on everything. Although eventually some things might go really well because one is truly interested in them. Rewards can help but maybe it's sometimes better to reward oneself, e.g. by spending a lot of money on a breakfast after accomplishing something. But yeah, when you're in school, you very much depend on your parents.