When perfection can be a problem
Priyanka Soman
As teachers, we see students striving for excellence and pushing themselves to achieve academic success. In today’s competitive world, the pressure to perform well academically is intense, especially for high school students who feel the weight of grades, extracurricular achievements, and future career aspirations. While ambition and hard work are admirable traits, there is a fine line between striving for success and succumbing to perfectionism. Perfectionism, fuelled by fear of failure, can be a significant roadblock, not only to students’ academic performance, but also to their personal wellbeing. As teachers, it’s crucial for us understand how perfectionism manifests in students and the importance of fostering a balanced, healthy approach to achievement.

Photos have been used for representative purpose only.
Understanding perfectionism in students
Perfectionism can take many forms. It might be self-imposed, where students set unrealistic standards for themselves, or it can stem from perceived societal or parental expectations.
Internal perfectionism
This is when students hold themselves to impossible standards. They may fear making mistakes, equating even small errors with failure. This leads to excessive pressure to be flawless, which can create a cycle of anxiety and dissatisfaction.
Expectation perfectionism
Some students might expect perfection from those around them, including peers, teachers, and family members. When others don’t meet these standards, it can cause frustration and conflict.
Socially prescribed perfectionism
In today’s world, where social media often showcases a curated version of life, many students feel the pressure to live up to the idealized versions of perfection they see. They might believe that others are holding them to impossible standards and fear being judged if they don’t meet these expectations.
As teachers, we often see perfectionist tendencies in students who have consistently been praised for their achievements. Over time, they may become dependent on external validation and believe that only perfect results are worthy of praise or respect.

Impact on students
The consequences of perfectionism can be far-reaching, affecting students’ academic success, emotional health, and personal relationships.
- Dissatisfaction and disappointment: Perfectionists are rarely satisfied with their accomplishments, as they focus on what they could have done better rather than what they have achieved. This mindset robs them of the joy that comes from doing good work and meeting goals. Constant dissatisfaction can lead to a sense of inadequacy, leaving students feeling that they are never “good enough”.
- Impact on relationships: Perfectionism doesn’t only affect academic performance; it can also strain personal relationships. Students may try to fit into a perfect mould, either as a friend, sibling, or child, which can lead to frustration when they or others don’t meet unrealistic standards. Perfectionists may find it difficult to appreciate others’ individuality, leading to judgment and conflict in relationships. As teachers, we might see students becoming critical of their peers during group projects or disengaged when their ideals aren’t met, creating a divide in peer collaboration and teamwork.
- Procrastination: Interestingly, perfectionism often leads to procrastination. The fear of not achieving perfection can cause students to delay tasks. They may feel overwhelmed by the expectations they’ve set for themselves and as a result avoid working on assignments until the last minute, further compounding their stress. Perfectionists may take excessive time to complete tasks, focusing on every minute detail rather than progressing steadily. This can lead to missed deadlines and a growing sense of failure.
- Mental health concerns: The pressure of perfectionism often manifests in anxiety, depression, and burnout. Students might develop a fear of failure so strong that it undermines their wellbeing. In extreme cases, they may experience obsessive-compulsive tendencies or eating disorders, driven by the need to perfectly control at least one aspect of their lives.
- Perfectionism and academic burnout: Academic burnout is becoming common among students, especially perfectionists. Research[1][2] highlights the connection between perfectionism and burnout, with repetitive negative thinking contributing significantly to emotional exhaustion and feelings of inadequacy. Students caught in the perfectionist trap may engage in constant self-criticism, which feeds into negative thinking patterns that exacerbate burnout. For many, this burnout is not just about feeling physically tired but also emotionally drained, leading to a decreased sense of accomplishment and even disinterest in subjects they once enjoyed.

How teachers can help students manage perfectionism
As educators, we play a pivotal role in helping students navigate the fine line between striving for excellence and falling into the trap of perfectionism. Here are some ways we can guide them:
- Reframe expectations: It’s essential to teach students that perfection is not a realistic goal. Instead, encourage them to focus on learning and growth rather than flawless outcomes. We can model this by praising effort and progress, not just results. Remind them that mistakes are part of the learning process and that true understanding comes from grappling with challenges.
- Foster a growth mindset: Help students understand that their abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work, a core concept of the growth mindset. Encourage them to see challenges as opportunities for growth, rather than as threats to their self-worth.
- Open conversations about failure: Many perfectionist students have a deep-seated fear of failure. As teachers, we should initiate open conversations about the value of failure as a learning tool. Sharing examples of well-known people who learnt from their failures or offering personal anecdotes can help students develop a healthier relationship with setbacks.
- Encourage self-compassion: Students need to learn to treat themselves with kindness, especially when they make mistakes. We can model self-compassion by demonstrating how we handle our own errors and encouraging students to view themselves with the same empathy they might offer a friend in a similar situation.
- Provide structured support: For students who struggle with procrastination due to perfectionism, breaking assignments into smaller, manageable tasks can help. Setting deadlines for different stages of a project can keep them from getting overwhelmed and reduce the tendency to delay out of fear of imperfection.
- Promote balance: Encourage students to engage in non-academic activities that promote relaxation, creativity, and emotional well-being. Remind them that academic success is only one part of a well-rounded, fulfilling life.
Conclusion
As teachers, it’s our responsibility to help students navigate the pressures of academic achievement while guarding against the pitfalls of perfectionism. While ambition and hard work are important for success, it is equally important to cultivate a mindset that values growth, learning, and balance over the impossible pursuit of perfection. By fostering environments that celebrate effort, embrace failure, and encourage self-compassion, we can help students not only succeed academically but also develop the resilience and emotional wellbeing they need to thrive in all aspects of life.
Reference: Gart Reed Et al (2018), Is perfectionism associated with academic burnout through repetitive negative thinking?, Pub Med.
The author has been a teacher at The School (KFI) for around six years, where she teaches music, social studies, and chemistry. She can be reached at cspriyankaa@gmail.com.