Perfectionism
What is perfectionism?
Perfectionism is a way to deal with stress or feeling unsure. It is a kind of self-protection. In some situations, perfectionism can be helpful: you work carefully, plan ahead, and try to do things well.
But perfectionism can also be a problem. For example, if you always expect too much from yourself, want to control everything, or find it hard to let go of tasks. It can also be difficult if you care a lot about what others think, don’t like feedback, are afraid to make mistakes, or set goals that are too high — so high that you don’t even start.
In that case, perfectionism can make studying or daily life harder. You may have negative thoughts, feel vulnerable, and find it hard to relax. Then, it is no longer something that helps you, but something that controls you.
What can you do?
You can better understand your perfectionist behavior with the Perfectionism Self Examination (PSE). This tool helps you discover:
- The three main parts of your perfectionism;
- In which situations your perfectionism shows up;
- What others notice about your behavior, and how that matches what you feel yourself.
What does this tell you about yourself?
Talk about it with people you trust, like a friend, family member, or classmate. Ask for tips or hear about their experiences. You can also read books or articles about perfectionism, or watch videos to learn more.
Self-learning module
With your Fontys account, you can make free use of online self-help modules (e-health).
Resilience
Want to build more resilience? This module helps you understand how you react to setbacks and teaches you how to deal with them better in the future.
Go to the Resilience module
Useful links
Contact team Student Guidance
- If perfectionism is affecting your mental well-being, make an appointment with a student psychologist.
- If perfectionism affects your study progress, please book an appointment with a student counsellor.