Title: Navigating Post-Submission Concerns: When Small Errors Put Graduation at Risk
Submitting a master’s thesis is a significant milestone, often accompanied by a mixture of relief and anxiety. Recently, I completed my thesis and submitted it a few days ago, only to realize that I made some overlooked mistakes in the final hours.
One of the issues I encountered was a formatting inconsistency within the table of contents. Specifically, the section numbering jumped from 1.3 to 1.3.2 instead of 1.3.1, despite the section itself being correctly labeled. This discrepancy appears to be a formatting glitch or an update issue with my document, rather than a content problem. Additionally, I missed applying italics to certain entries in the references and introduced a typo in another citation. These are minor issues, but combined, they have me questioning whether such errors could jeopardize my graduation.
The main body of my work is virtually flawless, as I dedicated most of my focus to ensuring its quality. However, the rushed final hours before the deadline led me to overlook these formatting details. Now, I find myself in a state of panic, especially since it’s too late to submit corrections.
As someone with ADHD, maintaining focus and attention to detail has always been a challenge, which makes these last-minute missteps particularly frustrating. I’ve poured so much effort into this project, and failing to graduate because of these small errors would be devastating. I am 25 years old and eager to move forward with my life, and the prospect of not graduating next week feels overwhelming.
In situations like this, it’s important to remember that minor formatting errors—though frustrating—are unlikely to result in failure if the core research and content are solid. However, understanding the specific policies of your institution is crucial. If you’re facing similar concerns, consider reaching out to your advisors or university support services to clarify whether these issues can be rectified post-submission.
Stay calm and focus on what truly matters—the quality of your research and your future goals. Mistakes are part of the learning process, and often, they can be corrected even after submission. Keep your head up—you’ve done the hard work, and there’s still a path forward.