Title: Navigating Post-Submission Concerns: What to Do When You Spot Mistakes in Your Thesis
Publishing your master’s thesis is a significant milestone, but what happens if you notice errors after submission? Recently, I encountered this exact situation and wanted to share my experience and thoughts to help others in similar circumstances.
After submitting my thesis a few days ago, I discovered some issues that rattled me. While the core content is quite solid—I’ve dedicated extensive effort there—a few formatting errors slipped through due to the haste just before the deadline. For instance, I noticed that my table of contents incorrectly skips from section 1.3 to 1.3.2 instead of 1.3.1, even though the section titles are properly numbered. It appears the automatic table did not update correctly. Additionally, in the references, I neglected to italicize the titles of certain sources and made a typo in one entry.
These seem like minor mistakes, but they leave me questioning whether such errors could jeopardize my graduation. Given the tight timeline, I didn’t think to review everything thoroughly, especially since I completed the formatting under pressure. As someone with ADHD, maintaining focus has been a constant challenge, and in moments of stress, I made hurried decisions.
Is it possible that these formatting errors could prevent me from graduating next week? Unfortunately, at this stage, submitting corrections might no longer be feasible. I’m feeling overwhelmed and anxious—this is a critical juncture because I am 25 years old, and this degree is essential for my future plans. Without graduation, I may have to reconsider my path entirely.
To anyone facing similar worries, remember that minor mistakes—particularly in formatting—are often not the end of the world. Nonetheless, it’s always worthwhile to check with your advisor or academic office if you’re unsure about the impact of certain errors. Moving forward, adopting better time management strategies and allowing extra review time can help avoid such last-minute stress.
Stay positive, and don’t let small setbacks diminish your hard-earned achievement. Your dedication and effort matter most, and one or two minor errors are unlikely to define your future.