High school has some serious down falls, but it also came with some perks too. Gone are the days when your teachers, parents, and friends you passed in the hallways, would keep you on track with it all. You studied hard, enough, to get the job done & tee yourself up for the college of your choice, but it didn’t seem like the stakes were all that high. But now, with your future career options & majors on the line, you are starting to panic and worry about your competition. The pressure to succeed in college can push you to do better… but it can also push you over the edge into avoidance and self-criticism. And these two things can be a slippery slope into partners of perfectionism, anxiety, and sometimes even a full blown eating disorder. For many students, working with a perfectionism therapist or exploring therapy for anxiety can be powerful ways to get support before perfectionism and pressure take over.
Why College Fuels Perfectionism
1. The pressure to be “the best.”
Whether it’s competing for scholarships, internships, or just trying to stand out in a sea of talented students, the pressure to excel can be intense. Suddenly,____% feels like failure to you, and so you’re pushing yourself to do more—no matter how exhausted you may be. For many, this is where working with a perfectionism therapist in Provo, UT becomes a way to untangle those unrealistic expectations.
2. Social comparison overload.
Let’s be honest: college is a breeding ground for comparison. In high school people did well but you also knew where you stood or how you could improve your standings if you wanted to focus more on academics. Now, you are in a sea of people who are just like you and who did it all in high school, sports, music, you name it. But now your roomates & people in your classes are all amazing test takers & are doing all of the resume building things to get into the program of their choosing, land top internships, and seem to have a thriving social life while you’re barely holding it together. Thanks to social media, you see everyone’s highlight reel 24/7, which can make you feel like you’re always falling behind. This constant stress can feed anxiety, which is why some students benefit from supportive resources like therapy for anxiety.
3. Fear of failure hits harder.
College can feel like your one big shot to get life “right.” That fear of messing up—whether it’s a test, a major, or a relationship—can lead to procrastination and avoidance. If you never start the project, you can’t fail, right? (Spoiler: that avoidance just makes the anxiety worse.) Learning how to break this cycle is often part of anxiety treatment where students are supported in facing fears without perfectionism dictating every step.
4. Independence can feel overwhelming.
For many students, college is the first time you’re truly on your own: managing your time, your health, your social life, and your grades & your laundry! That much freedom can trigger perfectionistic tendencies as you try to control every detail of your life just to stay afloat or poor yourself into your social life or your bedroom & avoid it all.
When Perfectionism Turns Into Avoidance
Perfectionism isn’t just about working harder—it’s also about freezing when things feel “too hard.” You might avoid starting assignments because you’re scared you won’t do them perfectly. You might skip social events because you don’t feel “put together enough.” And while avoidance feels like a short-term relief, it’s really just a cycle of stress and guilt that feeds your perfectionism.
How to Loosen Perfectionism’s Grip
1. Practice “good enough” thinking.
Perfectionism thrives on the belief that only 100% is acceptable. Start challenging that belief. Ask yourself: Would 80% effort still get the job done? (Spoiler: the answer is usually yes.)
2. Focus on process, not just results.
Instead of obsessing over grades, notice the small wins like showing up for a study session, starting a paper on time, or taking care of your mental health. These steps count.
3. Break the avoidance cycle.
When you catch yourself avoiding a task because it feels “too big,” break it into tiny steps. Even setting a timer for 10 minutes to start an assignment can help you get unstuck.
4. Talk about it.
You’re not the only one feeling this way. Opening up to a trusted friend, counselor, or therapist can help you challenge those perfectionistic thoughts and create healthier coping tools.
Ready to Challenge Perfectionism?
You don’t need to carry the weight of impossible standards on your own. If you’ve noticed perfectionism or avoidance creeping into your daily life—or even your relationship with food, your body, or exercise—now is the perfect time to reach out for support. Therapy can help you untangle those thought patterns, build self-compassion, and find healthier ways to cope with stress. You deserve to feel free, not stuck in cycles of “not good enough.” Reach out & give us a call 801-699-6161 or at insidewellness.com
Feeling Stuck in Perfectionism? A Perfectionism Therapist in Provo, UT Can Help
When perfectionism keeps you from starting assignments, leaves you avoiding tasks out of fear of failure, or drives constant anxiety about keeping up, reaching out for help can feel overwhelming. But therapy with a perfectionism therapist in Provo, UT is designed to meet you where you are—helping you break cycles of avoidance, ease anxiety, and find balance in college life. You don’t need to have it all together to begin; anxiety therapy is about creating space for relief, clarity, and new ways of coping.
At Inside Wellness, we offer compassionate, flexible care that fits into your reality—not rigid standards of "perfect." You deserve support exactly as you are. Here’s how to begin:
Book a free consultation or contact us at 801-699-6161
Meet with a supportive perfectionism therapist who understands the pressures of perfectionism and anxiety in college
Start loosening perfectionism’s grip and building healthier patterns for success and well-being
Other Services Inside Wellness Offers in Provo and Salt Lake City, UT
College doesn’t just bring academics—it brings pressure, comparison, and the heavy weight of perfectionism. At Inside Wellness, we know how easily high standards can tip into self-criticism, avoidance, and anxiety. That’s why our support goes beyond eating disorder treatment or body image therapy. We also provide therapy for perfectionism, anxiety, and burnout—helping students challenge all-or-nothing thinking, manage the fear of failure, and find healthier ways to cope with stress. Whether you’re stuck in procrastination, overwhelmed by social pressures, or caught in the cycle of “never enough,” we’re here to help you build balance that actually feels sustainable.
Visit our blog or FAQ to learn how therapy can support your mental health, ease the grip of perfectionism, and give you tools to navigate college life with more clarity and compassion.