Title: Navigating Post-Submission Concerns: How Formatting Errors Can Impact Your Thesis Evaluation
Submitting your master’s thesis is a significant milestone, often accompanied by a mix of pride and stress. Recently, I completed my submission, only to discover some inadvertent mistakes that have left me anxious about their potential consequences. I want to share my experience to help others understand how minor errors—especially those related to formatting—might influence academic outcomes, and what steps you can take in similar situations.
During my final review, I identified a few formatting issues that I hadn’t fully addressed before submission. One notable problem was in the table of contents: it skipped from section 1.3 directly to 1.3.2 instead of including 1.3.1, even though that section was correctly numbered within the document. It appears the TOC didn’t update automatically before I finalized everything. Additionally, in my references list, I overlooked applying italics to certain titles and caught a few typos, likely caused by rushing through the final edits just hours before the deadline.
This experience has caused me considerable anxiety, especially since I worry these minor errors could jeopardize my graduation. The core content of my thesis is solid—I invested a great deal of effort into the research and writing—but the formatting, done under pressure, leaves much to be desired. Given that the deadline has already passed, I’m concerned that it might be too late to submit corrections.
As someone with ADHD, maintaining focus and ensuring perfection in every aspect of my work can be particularly challenging under tight timelines. Moving forward, I realize the importance of managing time more effectively and dedicating ample moments for final reviews. For now, I am facing the harsh reality that these small mistakes could impact my graduation plans. I am at a critical juncture: I am 25 years old, eager to advance in my life, and the thought of delaying graduation or not graduating at all is incredibly daunting.
To fellow students in similar situations, remember that while perfection is ideal, human errors happen, especially under stress. The key is to stay proactive—consult your advisors, explain your circumstances, and see if there’s an opportunity to correct minor mistakes even after submission. Keep pushing forward; your hard work is evident, and small setbacks don’t define your future.
Stay resilient, and don’t lose sight of your goals. Your dedication and perseverance will carry you through.