Actually, if you're referring to Courage, Charisma and all that, getting max stats is a must, there's so much you miss by not having max stats that it's very worth to max them ASAP.

You get something for doing well in exams, I think it was cash (a good chunk of cash), but I'm not sure

The bathhouse is probably the best dungeon, Kanji's dilemma is very interesting

It goes that after you get all your party members, till then, it's very interesting, but not a huge number of twists...and then...

@Soriku

Yeah, like Zexen said, the biggest amount of twists are when you've got all the characters, but there are some in between that are good too. Just make sure than when you get all characters and are approaching the final days of November, you save very often, because most answers and things that you do then, will affect your ending.

Also try to get at least more than 5 Max Social Links so that you'll have a shot at the True Ending, it's completely worth it. Your party members Social Links should do the trick, plus Strenght and Sun too since they are the first that you get.

Also as Zexen said, you should max out Courage, Knowledge and Understanding. Courage and Understanding at level 4 and above will allow to open up three additional Social Links, Knowledge above level 4 will allow you to ace the tests, which will give you a nice money addition plus really great accesories like the Paper Armband which gives you +5 to all stats.

lol, you not liking it so far Soriku?

@Soriku

Since you've finished Yukiko's Castle, you can now access the Bonus Boss the next time you go to the world inside the TV. He's 10x tougher than Shadow Yukiko, and you need to be at level 21 at least to have a chance against him, but it's worth it since each bonus boss gives you a secret weapon for one of your characters. This one gives you a Fan for Yukiko.

You may skip the Bonus Boss battles since they are only optional, but if you're a completionist, you may want to take the challenge ;)

The Contrarian King is one of the hardest Boss battles in the game due to his Rampage spamming. The good thing is that he doesn't abuse your character weaknesses, and most strategies revolve around his weakness to Fire or Wind, i'm not really sure now. But yeah, level 21 at least is needed to survive 2 rampage's in a row.

Yeah save a lot that is very wise....Their are different endings...And I find it hard to believe someone got the best ending without using a faq to find how to get it.

Sun Phoenix is one of the best Personas for the steamy bathouse. I used Jack Frost a lot too, but once you get to level 22, make sure you fuse King Frost, his mabufula attack will be a lifesaver ;) Give the contrarian king a go when you get to level 21, you can probably beat him then, or by level 22 with the help of King Frost.

Mabufula = Ice attacks on all enemies.  Comes very handy if you have to face 5 enemies who are weak to ice.

But Chie's persona learns it aswell.

King Frost - Devil Lilim and Hierophant Anzu

Mabufula is a Mid level Frost Spell which damages all enemies in the 180-200 range.