The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder

The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder

The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder

Permanent Daylight Savings Time would have positive effect on students

Every first Sunday of November, students gain one hour of sleep back, while every second Sunday of March, we lose one as finals and the spring sports season looms. With “fall back” approaching quickly, we need to reevaluate our policy regarding daylight savings to realize that adopting permanent Daylight Savings Time (DST) would be better for students as well as their mental health. This means we would adopt the time between March and November for the duration of the entire year. 

While gaining an extra hour of sleep may sound pleasant, according to Insider, studies have shown an increase in suicide rates after each time change. It creates a disruption in the circadian rhythm of our sleep cycles, which takes a toll on mental health. Along with this, suicide is the second leading cause of death for high schoolers according to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center

Adopting permanent DST is not a solution to suicide, but it would help combat one factor that can lead to it. Permanent DST would also increase the efficiency of students.

DST would also allow daylight in the evening hours. Instead of the sun setting at 4:30 p.m. during the winter, it would set at 5:30 p.m. Student-athletes would still see the sun as they leave school. Swimmers, for example, wake up in the dark and make their way into school. When they leave these doors again after practice, it is dark once more.

This also means if we adopted permanent DST, student drivers would have a lower accident rate. Higher accident risk occurs when it is dark outside, and when coupled with the exhaustion of a long day at school, accidents become even more likely.

Adopting permanent DST, however, is trickier than dropping out of it altogether and adopting standard time year-round. The Sunshine Protection Act, which would adopt DST nationwide, needs to be passed by Congress first.

Luckily for us, President Donald Trump is in favor of passing this bill, having proudly proclaimed in a tweet, “Making Daylight Saving Time permanent is O.K. with me!”

While adopting permanent DST won’t be easy, it would help increase the safety and efficiency of students as well as help to combat one cause of suicide.

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About the Contributor
Brinda Ambal, Conceptual Editor-in-Chief
Pronouns: she/her I am a senior, and this is my fourth year on staff. The Pathfinder has helped me push myself independently, build a supportive community and grow through my mistakes. Though I write a lot of opinions, I do seek to understand the other side— my newfound knowledge always either strengthens my own position or changes my mind.  I love fairy princess tea parties with my friends and 12-hour study marathons. In the rest of my time, I am Student Body co-Vice President, a part of the Scholar Bowl team and often found on or around Creve Coeur Lake with St. Louis Rowing Club. I most enjoy the small moments; a friend’s laugh, the brush of my fingers against a piece of paper and the first glimpse of daffodil yellow after a really long winter (gotta love Missouri weather).
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The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High
Permanent Daylight Savings Time would have positive effect on students