Since Nov. 3 of this year, the sun has set fast and quick. You go to the cafeteria around 5 p.m. with minimal natural lighting, and by 5:30, the sun has set, and the sky is a deep dark blue. A few people – myself included – enjoyed the extra hour of sleep that Sunday. But is one extra hour in the morning on one day of the year worth the sunset before you have had your final meal of the day? Or do people enjoy the change because the sun is up while you are waking?
Many people may recall a decision made by the Senate to end Daylight Saving Time. On March 15, 2022, the Sunshine Protection Act passed by a unanimous vote, and many people believed that the clocks would gain an hour in Nov. 2023, lose that hour in March 2024, and then never have to worry about the time change again. As of this past Sunday, Nov. 3, we know that not to be true. When or if Daylight Saving Time in the US will cease is a mystery.
Several students have opinions on this time change. Some enjoy the morning light, while others despise the early evening darkness.
Sophomore Maddy Warning likes the change because it helps her get ready for her day when the sun is up. “It would be hard for me wake up without the sun,” Warning said.
Junior MacKenzie Russel agrees with Warning. “It shocks your circadian rhythm, but it can be nice to get the extra rest,” Rusell said. “It’s helpful if you need to get up in the morning.”
On the other hand, senior Jess McCubbin does not like how it gets dark so early. “I don’t like it when I go outside at 7 p.m. and it’s midnight,” said McCubbin.
Sophomore Connor Bohnenkamp has the opposite opinion. “I do like it when it gets dark early,” sophomore Connor Bohnenkamp said.
Junior Hope Wallace does not appreciate the time change. “I think it is dumb because it just confuses people,” Wallace said. “I do not feel more rested after because it is made up and fake.”
Many people enjoy the extra hour of time during the fall time change. “I like the extra hour in the fall, and I do not like the one in the spring,” senior Cheyenne Schmit said. “It is a shock to the system that’s for sure.”
Some people have enjoyed the extra hour for sleep. Others enjoyed the extra hour to continue other activities. Others believe that the extra hour is not worth the impending darkness. Others enjoy the morning light.
Daylight Saving Time brings out many opinions, both for and against. However, when the Senate will enact the Sunshine Protection Act is unknown. For now, people will just have to accept Daylight Saving Time, whether they like it or not.
