Tim Herd
My response was that #dancingtothePhD meant the ability to maintain my joy in the midst of writing multiple hundred plus page papers. For me, dancing has always been an activity that would bring feelings of excitement. It has always been a way to express myself, and as I began to grow deeper into my developmental years, I came to recognize the act as a fun outlet.
As I progressed throughout both my undergraduate studies and Masters’ program, I noticed that I began to lean even more into dancing as a creative expression and cathartic release from the academic grind and other commitments. As I prepared to begin my PhD, I made a TikTok where I showed my progression from my days as an undergraduate student to my doctoral program, dancing each step of the way. As I have continued to advance within my doctoral program, moving closer towards completion, I think of what #dancingtothePhD means.
In doctoral programs, there is a general theme detailing how rigorous and demanding these programs can be, as graduate students are being equipped with advanced research skills to become experts within their various disciplines. The doctoral journey takes a significant amount of time and dedication. While this is true, it is equally true that in the midst of this challenging academic grind, maintaining healthy outlets of expression such as movement beyond the work is extremely valuable. Studies conducted by groups such as Harvard Health have shown that movement plays a valuable component in increasing memory and thinking skills. Along with cognitive benefits, studies have concluded that it even helps with cardiovascular health, including lowering blood pressure. Historically, along with the physical and mental benefits, dancing has also been viewed as an act of resistance, both as an individual and as a collective, as seen across many social movements, including the Civil Rights Movement.
Maintaining My Joy
