Title: Navigating Post-Submission Concerns: How Small Errors in Your Thesis Can Feel Overwhelming
Submitting a master’s thesis is a significant milestone, often accompanied by relief and pride. However, it’s common to experience a flood of emotions—and sometimes, a bit of regret—once you realize there might be errors in your final document. Recently, I personally faced this challenge after submitting my thesis a few days ago. While I am proud of the core content, I discovered some formatting mistakes that are causing considerable worry.
One of the issues I encountered involved the table of contents. Although the section numbering was correct within the main text, the automatic updates in the TOC did not reflect the changes accurately. For example, I inadvertently labeled a subsection as 1.3.2 instead of 1.3.1, which could potentially affect the professional appearance of the document. Additionally, I overlooked some citation formatting details within the references, such as failing to italicize titles properly and introducing minor typographical errors.
This situation has led me to question whether these mistakes could jeopardize my graduation. The reality is, my focus was primarily on ensuring the core content was flawless, which I believe I achieved. Unfortunately, the timing of the errors—made hastily just before the submission deadline—means it’s now too late to submit corrections.
As someone with ADHD, maintaining concentration and attention to detail is particularly challenging under pressure, making the situation even more stressful. I’ve dedicated immense effort to this thesis, and the prospect of not graduating next week feels devastating, especially at 25 years old, when moving forward is crucial for my personal and professional life.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, remember that minor formatting issues, while important, usually do not overshadow the quality of your research. Reach out to your university’s administration or department—many institutions have procedures for late corrections or appeals. Most importantly, keep in mind that your hard work and dedication are worth recognizing, regardless of small imperfections. The journey is just as important as the final product, and perseverance is key.