By: Kalyssa Chu, Staff Writer

Amidst the months of cold weather and final exams, the end of daylight saving time (DST) in early November lets the clock officially “fall back,” cutting our afternoons short and ushering in yet another dim and dreary winter. However, when spring rolls around, we can count on DST to jump in and push the clock an hour beyond standard time, extending daylight well into the evening. This extra hour of sunlight feels like a gift, adding what seems like an extra hour to the day. It’s this added time and rejuvenation that makes DST so valuable, and it’s exactly why the United States should make the permanent switch to DST.

As a high school student, I rely heavily on the hours of afternoon sunlight to spend time with friends, be active outside, or simply enjoy the evening without feeling cut for time. But, when DST ends and premature darkness overtakes any remaining daylight beyond 5 p.m., I find it much more difficult to get tasks done in the afternoon. 

I’m not alone in this sentiment. Student Ari Kurita (11) said, “When the sun goes down earlier, I feel like I have less time in my day to be productive or be outside.” In fact, Kurita calls the end of DST “the worst time of the year.”

“I just feel more lazy and less productive,” he said, “When it’s bright outside, I feel like I have a lot more energy.”

Our experiences aren’t anecdotal, either: according to the American Psychological Association, daylight in the evening has been shown to promote positive mental health and increased productivity.

Still, not everyone is convinced. Senior Haylee Yuan, for instance, doesn’t see the appeal of extra daytime. “Sure, you can do more [with the sun out], but you can also sleep more with an extra hour of darkness,” she pointed out.

Yuan, who prefers an earlier sunset, is opposed to a permanent DST, echoing a common argument that extra darkness aligns our internal clocks and supports a healthy sleep schedule. “[Having no DST] makes me sleep earlier since it’s darker, and that really helps me wake up on time,” Yuan said.

However, even with the argument against it, at least 10 U.S. states in 2023 passed measures pledging to switch to a permanent DST. Additionally, the U.S. Senate is actively pushing the “Sunshine Protection Act” to make DST permanent across most of the country. However, federal law prohibits states from enacting a permanent DST, so the status of these measures is currently up to Congressional approval.

Ultimately, the choice to cement DST is about more than simply “saving” time; it is about enhancing how we spend that time. Many students, like me, rely on DST’s extra hour of daylight to boost their moods, get outside, and connect with others. A permanent DST would mean more time to enjoy these activities even during the winter months, helping students fight off the slump that seasonal depression often brings.

“An hour is a lot of time, and with an extra hour of daytime, you can do a lot,” noted Kurita.