It’s only natural to want to do your best at university: to get the perfect grade, complete a flawless assignment, or fill your resumé with awards. But when it comes to studying, striving for perfection isn’t always the same as doing your best. In fact, sometimes this perfectionism can actually hinder your chances of success.
If you’re wondering whether you’re a perfectionist, there’s a good chance you are – at least to some degree. Perfectionists strive towards being flawless, are overly critical of themselves, and are excessively concerned about negative evaluations from others. Perfectionism is common among ambitious students and young professionals, and it’s also widely misunderstood.
In this article, Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Arts graduate Ellen Sanderson explores what perfectionism is and why it’s important, before diving into how to overcome perfectionism.
What is perfectionism, and why does it matter?
This might seem counterintuitive, but many people don’t consider themselves perfectionists because they feel “so far from perfect so much of the time”. However, you might be struggling with perfectionism, even without realising it, if you:
- struggle with procrastination
- perform poorly because of the pressure you feel
- experience an intense fear of failure
- constantly criticise yourself and your performance.
Because the thing is, perfectionism isn’t about being perfect. It’s about setting unrelenting, excessively high standards and criticising yourself if you don’t meet them. It can make you feel like you don’t deserve a rest and that you’re a failure if you make a mistake or fall short of the expectations you set for yourself.
Students who struggle with perfectionism operate from an intense fear of failure and feel unsafe when forced to interact with the unknown. This discomfort makes new experiences intimidating and can turn assessments into terrifying opportunities for failure. This increases the chance of developing depression, anxiety and burnout and can impact a student’s ability to learn.
How to overcome perfectionism
For many, perfectionism is born out of a mindset that requires working hard at all costs. But this isn’t really a productive way of thinking.
So, what if we swapped this with a more a ‘productive’ mindset? One which allows you to encourage yourself and others to set realistic timelines, explore new opportunities and learn from things that don’t turn out as planned – all of which are associated with achieving good results.
Overcoming perfectionism by changing your attitude… it sounds easy on paper, but how can you switch from a perfectionist mindset to a productive one?
How to embrace a conscientious mindset
1. Reject the ‘flourish or fail’ mentality
The ‘flourish or fail’ mindset insists there are only 2 outcomes for anything you attempt:
- You perform flawlessly, meeting all standards and exceeding all expectations.
- You fail miserably.
This mindset feeds the belief that if you don't perform perfectly, you have failed (and, therefore, you and your work are worthless).
To reject this mindset, you need to expand your definition of success. This allows you to reflect on your values, focus on the process of learning, and embrace your studies with curiosity and conscientiousness.
The next time you feel the mounting pressure of perfectionism, remind yourself: "My success is as unique as I am, and I don't need to be perfect to succeed.”
2. Prioritise progress over perfection – done is better than perfect
Perfectionism frequently leads to procrastination and paralysis. When we feel overwhelming pressure to perform perfectly on the first try, we put off assignments and study until we feel ready to be perfect – a feeling that, of course, never comes.
So, how do you overcome this vicious cycle of anxiety and procrastination?
The answer is surprisingly simple: make your first goal highly achievable with low stakes. This could be as simple as:
- Set a 10-minute timer with the goal of reading the task sheet before time runs out.
- Draft 3 questions you need to answer in your research.
- Create flashcards or other resources to help you study.
You may find the momentum you gain from achieving the first task on your list actually motivates you to complete your next goal right away.
3. Celebrate your wins
Constant self-criticism is exhausting and often leaves students with no energy or motivation for their studies. But thankfully, there is a simple way to combat that struggle mindset: celebrating your wins.
By setting small attainable goals and rewarding yourself when you achieve them, you’ll see a huge difference in your mindset. By rewarding behaviours rather than outcomes, you bring success within your realm of control. This allows you to feel pride in yourself and can also increase self-confidence.
4. Practise self-compassion
Practising self-compassion can help you challenge the negative stories you tell yourself and make conscientious choices that help you overcome perfectionism.
When you notice you’re being unkind to yourself, ask: "Does this thought help me make healthy sustainable choices?" If the answer is no, acknowledge that the thought doesn’t benefit you and move on.
5. Seek social support
By surrounding yourself with friends who strive for a healthy amount of excellence and prioritise learning alongside their wellbeing, you can support each other to succeed academically and personally.
Encourage your friends to engage in sustainable study habits and remind them they don't need to be perfect to be successful. Talking with friends gives you the opportunity to practise what you preach and gives you a supportive community to keep you accountable.
6. Practise imperfection
A great way to start practising imperfection is choosing an area of your life that isn’t linked to your studies. This doesn’t have to be something public – just something you can begin to push the boundaries of what you think you can tolerate.
Take 10 minutes from your screen time and devote it to something like:
- sketching the view from your window
- learning the lyrics to a song
- or trying a quick new workout routine.
It doesn't matter what the activity is; it just needs to be new to you.
Final thoughts
Remember, no one can overcome perfectionism perfectly. It's an ongoing process of letting go of old habits and standards and embracing a new perspective. Focus on small manageable goals, celebrate your wins, and reward behaviour that encourages a conscientious mindset. Your best is worth pursuing, so don't let perfectionism get in the way.
Finally, know that you’re not doing this alone. There are plenty of avenues of support you can turn to, including a range of programs and counselling services offered at UQ to help support students’ mental health and wellbeing.
You can also check out UQ's Sharper Minds program, which offers a package of free resources designed for undergraduate and honours students to help support your physical and mental health at university.
Author: Ellen Sanderson
Ellen (she/her) studied psychology and writing at UQ on the land of the Jagera and Turrbal people, where she now works as a Research Assistant. With her passion for wellbeing and creative communication, Ellen aspires to share psychological principles and techniques with students to enhance their holistic health.
