The test print out is pending, finally... After all your hard work, either the text is nearly finished or you have to stop writing or your supervisor or employer have decided it’s time to come to an end. Or maybe the money's run out... :-).
So the last act follows, the test print before handing in the thesis. Here are 15 tips to help your Bachelor's, Master's or Doctoral Thesis manage this final stage.
1. Celebrate the test print!
The test print is the penultimate action after many hours or weeks of work. Invite friends, family or peers, so you can celebrate then ask them to take on various tasks. A festive setting with catering is recommended.
2. Schedule a second test print!
If many things need to be changed in the printed file, a second test print may be necessary after the changes have been incorporated. Give yourself time to do so.
3. Prepare the test print technically and meticulously!
This should be the easiest part: Does the printer work? Are the ink cartridges full? Is there enough paper? Does the cable connection work? The technical side is easy to delegate...
4. Prepare the print file completely!
The print file should be finished, i.e. proofread, corrected, formatted and checked for plagiarism. All parts should be included, from the cover sheet to the declaration of authorship.
5. Ensure the conversion to PDF!
A conversion to PDF should be possible with a computer. If not, search the Internet for a PDF converter.
6. Include others in the proof of the thesis!
For family and friends, the test print is certainly also a feat. It is therefore a good opportunity to use their good will to your benefit and entrust them with easier tasks. They can help with the printing itself, checking the file and the incorporation of necessary changes. Two or three sets of eyes will see more.
7. Take your time and take breaks!
Every minute spent carefully checking the proof printout can save a lot of trouble afterwards. Checking is exhausting which is why breaks are very important.
8. Check the different chapters out of order!
Start with chapter 4, then 3.2 etc. Do not start from chapters one and two again and again. A comprehensive check of the sample printout requires complete concentration. You have already read the introduction and first chapter many times. To stay focused, you should read the chapters out of order.
9. Go through every text section meticulously!
This is a decisive moment. Errors are absolutely unacceptable!
10. Work with a red pen or marker during proofreading!
Mark and correct the issues with a red pen, so you can insert the changes faster from the text to the computer.
11. Pay attention to page breaks in the text!
Mark the page breaks in the printout. However, after the creation of the FINAL PDF print file, the pages are almost always shifted. Therefore, the final check for page breaks only makes sense at the very end, directly on the PDF file.
12. Stop working and reworking the text itself!
The work is done! Working on the text again means opening a barrel of some kind. Now the focus is only on formalities because you are almost out of time!
13. Carefully incorporate corrections into the text!
Again, take your time working on the chapters. You can delegate parts of the corrections to trusted persons. But you are responsible in the end.
14. The final correction should be done on the PDF!
In particular, page breaks and footnotes can be checked only on the PDF file. So go through the PDF print file again and be prepared to make many PDF conversions of your final Word document.
15. Service providers can help with the thesis but...!
The final responsibility is YOURS. External assistants can relieve you of a lot of work, but you MUST ALWAYS do the final check yourself!
Good luck writing your text!
Silvio and the Aristolo Team
PS: Check out the Thesis-ABC and the Thesis Guide for writing a bachelor or master thesis in 31 days.
