Navigating Post-Submission Concerns: What to Do When Your Thesis Has Formatting Errors
Submitting a master’s thesis is a significant milestone, but it’s not uncommon to notice mistakes afterward. Recently, I completed my thesis and submitted it just a few days ago. Now, I find myself facing some unexpected issues that are causing concern about whether these errors could jeopardize my graduation.
One of the issues I spotted is related to the table of contents. Although the section numbering was correct within the document, the TOC did not update properly during submission. Instead of following the logical sequence (for example, 1.3 followed by 1.3.1), it jumped to 1.3.2 without the intermediate section being labeled correctly. Additionally, I overlooked some formatting details in the references, such as leaving article titles unitalicized or containing typos. These are minor details, but at the moment, they feel like major setbacks.
Given that the core content of my thesis is polished—since I dedicated most of my effort there—it’s unsettling to see these formatting oversights. They occurred under tight deadlines and in a rush, which I admit was not ideal. Now, I’m anxious about whether such errors might prevent me from graduating next week.
Is it common for such formatting issues to impact the final evaluation? Unfortunately, it may be too late to submit corrections now. As someone with ADHD, maintaining focus throughout this process was especially challenging, and I poured a lot of effort into this project.
This situation is incredibly stressful, but I’m trying to stay grounded. For others in similar situations, remember that minor formatting mistakes, while frustrating, often do not outweigh the importance of your research and intellectual work. If you’re concerned, consider reaching out to your thesis advisor or administrative office to clarify your options—sometimes, corrections or clarifications might still be possible even at this stage.
Stay hopeful, keep pushing forward, and remember that your hard work is recognized beyond the formatting details.