Navigating Post-Submission Errors in Your Thesis: What You Need to Know
Completing and submitting your master’s thesis is a significant milestone, but it’s natural to feel anxious upon discovering mistakes afterward. Recently, I submitted my thesis and immediately noticed a few formatting oversights that I worry might impact my graduation prospects.
One of the issues involved the table of contents, where section numbering was inconsistent—the sequence jumped from 1.3 to 1.3.2 instead of the correct 1.3.1, despite the section itself being properly numbered. This discrepancy likely occurred because the TOC didn’t update correctly during final editing. Additionally, I overlooked including italics for some journal titles in my references, and there was a minor typo in another citation. These errors stemmed from rushing these last-minute adjustments just hours before the submission deadline.
Now, I find myself in a state of intense worry—could these formatting mistakes jeopardize my chance to graduate? The core content of my thesis is solid, having devoted most of my energy to the main research and writing. However, dealing with these final touches under tight time constraints, especially with ADHD making concentration more challenging, has added to the stress.
Unfortunately, it’s too late to make corrections now, and I’m left wondering about the consequences. For many students, such technical errors may seem minor, but in some cases, they can influence evaluation criteria or university policies.
If you’re in a similar situation, remember that while perfection is ideal, institutions often recognize genuine effort, especially when the main content is strong. Reach out to your advisor or graduate office to inquire about whether corrections are possible post-submission and what steps you might take. Most importantly, try to stay calm and focus on the bigger picture—your research and dedication matter most.
The path to graduation can be stressful, but perseverance and open communication are key. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to seek support—whether from mentors, friends, or professionals. You’ve worked hard, and with the right approach, you can navigate these obstacles and move forward onto your next chapter.