Twice a year, the clocks jump forward or backward, and it’s finally time to address the impact. Last Sunday, Nov. 2, the clocks “fell back” to standard time after being “pushed forward” last March. Daylight saving time was originally implemented to conserve daylight during World War I, when it was needed for reducing electricity usage for lighting. The main goal was to save fuel and power, but today others are against it due to some negative health and economic impacts. Daylight saving time is not only a nationwide debate, but has heavy prevalence for high schoolers as well, affecting a student’s mood, sleep, focus and after-school activities.
“I honestly liked how we got an extra hour of sleep on Sunday, but it totally messed up my sleep schedule, and then it was harder for me to fall asleep that night,” junior Sophia Rastegar said.
Daylight saving time in November gave students that extra hour; however, it also made daylight shorter and nighttime longer. Now, the sun sets around 5 p.m., and we can just imagine its impact on after-school activities. For instance, sports practices can go up until 5 p.m. and games can go all the way until 8:30 p.m. For sports practice, imagine getting home just as it is getting dark outside and homework and studying awaits. Isn’t it so demotivating to see it get dark out right when your day outside of school is practically just starting?
“Basketball season is starting soon and that means I will be going home from school when it’s dark out which really annoys me,” junior Jolie Moalemi said. “It stresses me out because my brain thinks that I have no time to do any of my work or spend time with my family before it’s time for bed.”
It’s tough because by 5p.m. it’s as if students should be ready for bed and not studying or enjoying the rest of their day.
On the other hand, some argue that daylight saving time should be kept because it benefits students and teachers. First off, that extra hour of sleep to start the week makes some people feel rejuvenated. Many students appreciate feeling more rested that week. Also, pushing the clocks back has also made early mornings brighter. Now students can actually wake up for school feeling refreshed, contrastingly to before when mornings were dark and dreary.
“These past few months of the beginning of school were so annoying because I wake up and it doesn’t even feel like morning which is so demotivating,” freshman Michal Gavriel said. “Now, it’s so much better because it feels more normal to wake up this early because the sun is actually out.”
In addition, having more light in the morning is safer for school buses and car rides to school. Traffic accidents are known to decrease during daytime rather than nighttime, so it is safer to help the morning be brighter and sunny.
Many states and lawmakers debate ending daylight saving time arguing to stop changing the clocks. Due to disrupted sleep patterns and negative health effects as well as public safety issues, this debate prevails. Whether we keep changing the time or stop altering the clock for good, the shift in sunlight changes more than our schedules.
