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Presentation of final copy Now is the time to combine all your files into one complete text, double spaced, with continuous page numbering. Find out from your university: • What is the required page layout? • What size should margins be? Where do page numbers go? How should tables/figures/illustrations be labelled? • How should references and quotations appear in the text? • What paper quality and size are required? • Where can you get the regulation soft (later hard) binding done? • How long will that take? (Can take 3–4 days.) • How many copies must you submit? • To whom do you submit them? Exactly where is their office? • Are there any forms to fill in before you go? Remember that it is your responsibility to make sure that your thesis is presented in the regulation format, exactly, with no errors. Even when you get the copies back from the photocopier or print service it is up to you to check that all the pages are the right way up, before binding. What is your submission date? This should be an actual date, confirmed by the relevant committee, board or some other feature of department or university administration. Until the date is set, it is not really a deadline, and the risk is that you will use what appears to be extra time to do more work. This is fine, if this is what is needed. However, it may result in your failing to complete your thesis by then. Now, or very soon, you must have a fixed deadline for submission.
Questions for reflection • • • • • •
Definition: are you clear about what you have to do? Motivation: do you really have the end in sight? Is there anything you can drop to make more time for your thesis? What lies between you and completion? What will be your reward – to yourself – for submitting your thesis? How do you think you will feel when it is finally submitted?
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