PhD candidates are required to submit a handful of propositions with their thesis. In this feature, they explain the thinking behind their most though-provoking proposition. This time, Jeske Hageman, who was awarded her PhD in the Animal and Human Physiology group for her research on different sources of fat in infant formula.
‘I love singing. In our lab the radio is on all the time and most people, myself included, sing along enthusiastically. I read an article last year that showed that people who sang in a choir with their colleagues suffered less work-related stress and felt less isolated. Singing is also said to be good for your heart and lungs.
I found singing in the lab very relaxing. I was working on experiments that could be quite stressful. There are a great many steps to follow, and often under time pressure. I also notice that singing makes you feel closer to the other people in the lab. It’s almost a way of sharing the pain.
Maybe it’s an idea to start a choir for PhD students
I think people do a lot of singing in the lab, but not so much outside it. We know that PhD students suffer from stress. Maybe it’s an idea to start a choir for PhD students. They already have a choir at FrieslandCampina, where I work. I don’t belong to it myself, because I’m afraid my voice isn’t good enough for it. I prefer to sing in places where not so many people can hear me, such as in the car. After a long working day, I really enjoy singing along to John Newman on the way home and emptying my head.’