Mistakes in Thesis! Stressed.

[Kamr1234]

I have been working on my doctoral thesis p/t while working full time, and raising a family. I have supervisor and he is great. However, after submitting my thesis, and preparing for my viva, I realised that I made so many mistakes. I am seeing hundreds of typos, incomplete explanations and simply a whole barrage of things I could have rewritten. I have read and re-read my thesis so many times, and yet, there they are. I am devastated that I sent this to be reviewed (supervisor said it's okay, but could be better). I am at my wits end. I am making a list of all the issues I have found to discuss with my supervisor, and I am now worried that I may not even pass the doctorate and will be awarded an MPhil. I believe it is so poorly written with too many mistakes, not befitting of a doctorate at all. The mistakes do not change the outcome of the results, but things that I know will call for a rewrite of some sections. I don't know what will happen, just that I am now in a place were I am completely devastated, and in my pragmatic way, under no illusion it will be marked for major corrections or revise and resubmit - at the very best.

I love my thesis and so enjoyed doing the work. It was a complete labour of love. Nonetheless, I am going to be stressed from now until the viva.

Any words of encouragement will be greatly received.

Thank you @LittleBigHead! That helps.
I have my mock viva in a week and the viva is in a few weeks, so I am feeling the pressure each day. However, the comments here have really helped, and I come back to them when I feel that pressure in the pit of my stomach.😰

You’re treading a very well-worn route, if it’s any consolation OP.

The vast majority of PhDs are awarded after minor corrections. And typos are minor corrections, even a lot of them.

You have already acknowledged the mistakes and prepared a list. This shows academic integrity and will alleviate any concerns about attention to detail.

Much more important in a viva, is the opportunity for examiners to check your understanding of the subject of your thesis, methodologies, your perspective of how it fits within the field and your ability to have an academic debate, defending your assertions etc.

They’ll probably end up summarising spelling and clerical mistakes in one sentence!

Reading your OP reminds me of the daunting feeling and imposter syndrome that takes hold just before a viva. We all recognise it.

Just remember to get what you can out of this special time (the viva), when you get two experts to yourself for a few hours, to discuss your pride and joy and your specialist subject.

Very soon, you’ll be a doctor and I hope you come back and tell us all how it went.

PS I passed my DPhil with no corrections and nobody cares!! No prizes! Same PhD as everyone else gets (in the U.K. system anyway)

Thanks @Kamr1234
It's in a few days time now so am re-reading everything and working on the initial presentation.
Good luck!

Thank you @everythingthelighttouches! And well done!
I will definitely let everyone know what happened no matter what.🙂

Thank you @CdcRuben !
I have a list of corrections and have highlighted them in the thesis also.
I was told by my supervisor not to make any corrections to the thesis and just focus on 'the discussion'. It's a chance for your to talk about your work and contribution to the field - make that clear!

UPDATE!!

First and foremost, I want to say thank you to everyone who helped with suggestions and shared their own personal experiences. It all helped.

The things I did prior to the viva:

I had no illusions that my thesis needed a lot of work, nonetheless, I had to own it, and put the effort in to prepare for the viva, so...

1. I read the thesis to familiarise myself with the content again, more so the finer details.
2. I then re-read making notes of every typo or unclear sentence.
3. I then read to critique the thesis focusing on the gaps and created questions on anything and everything I believed they could pick up on or query. These, in hindsight, were crucial as the generic questions I used online, only one icebreaker came up, but questions specific to my thesis especially those 'ambiguous' sentences drove the viva. So, I was glad I made sure to know my thesis, warts and all.
4. I used a set of online questions to build confidence in how to answer questions.
5. I asked family, friends or anyone who had five minutes, to ask me questions. Sometimes, that one random question will stop you in your tracks. Like someone who isn't a boxer, who throws that lucky punch.
6. I then summarised each chapter with the relevant papers I referenced in those chapters. But by then I could recite them off by heart.
7. Briefly read the weaker main chapters a few days before.

After the viva they said I defended my thesis, 'very very well' (a lot of the questions that came out were from my own personal questions from the critique of my thesis, so I was already versed in how I would answer). I asked if I could make amendments to the typos and showed them the list I had, and they said yes.

I passed with minor corrections!😁

I do want to thank @Gingerwarthog who took time out to support me with suggestions after a successful viva (congratulations again!) and reminded me that I should be proud of the journey I took to where I am now.💖

Brava! 👏
Well done, you must be so relieved.
A wonderful acheivement Doctor!

Thank you!😀
Absolutely floored!
But feeling so good about the outcome.

Well done!
You worked so hard to prepare - now celebrate your achievement.
I am glad I was able to help and share my experience.

Super congratulations! Your update post reads like a good guide for anyone who finds themself in a similar situation to you in the future. Great job preparing for the viva and defending your thesis so well 👨🏼‍🎓 👏🏼

Huge congratulations.

Congratulations! It sounds like you worked hard for this and deserved the great result.

Thank you @erinaceus !😄

Thank you @Gingerwarthog !❤

Thank you @ApolloandDaphne!😃

Thank you @Throughthebluebells! I didn't want to miss anything they could 'catch' me on, so to speak.😃

Congratulations. Excellent news

Thank you @parietal!😃

What a great update. I hope you’re celebrating this week.

Hi @EBoo80! Yes, have been celebrating with family and friends since I found out. Still on a high 🥳

Well done Dr @Kamr1234

Well done. Enjoy your success!

Thank you @PokerFriedDips!😁