Title: Navigating Post-Submission Concerns: What to Do When Your Thesis Has Minor Errors
Submitting your master’s thesis is a significant milestone, and it’s natural to experience a mix of relief and anxiety afterward. Recently, I submitted my own thesis, only to realize that I overlooked some minor formatting details. These included inaccuracies in my table of contents—specifically, jumping from 1.3 to 1.3.2 instead of 1.3.1, despite the section being correctly numbered within the document. Additionally, I missed applying italics to the titles in my references and made a few typographical errors.
Understandably, I’m worried about whether these small mistakes could threaten my graduation. The core content of my research is solid; I dedicated most of my effort there. The errors arose because I was rushing to meet the deadline, and now I’m feeling quite overwhelmed. It’s late in the process to submit corrections, which only adds to my stress.
For those of you who, like me, face challenges such as ADHD, focusing under pressure can be especially tough. I’ve invested so much into this project—it’s a critical step toward moving forward in my life at 25 years old. Failing to graduate because of minor formatting errors feels devastating.
If you’re in a similar situation, know that mistakes are part of the process. While it’s frustrating, there are often options to address or clarify these issues with your institution. My advice is to stay calm, reach out to your advisors if possible, and remember that the core of your work still holds value. Graduation is about more than perfect formatting; it’s about your dedication and the knowledge you’ve gained along the way.