Daylight saving time came to its annual end Sunday, Nov. 3. Time in most American states, excluding Arizona and Hawaii, changed from 2 a.m. to 1 a.m. Because of this, the sun will set an hour earlier until daylight saving time begins again in early March 2025.
Daylight saving time began in the late 19th century to lower fuel costs during World War I. Why daylight saving time continues to end each year is unclear and has been controversial for years. There has been much debate over whether daylight saving time, or daylight saving end, should be permanent, rather than “springing forward” and “falling back” each year.
Many states, including Ohio, have tried to make daylight saving time permanent, but there is more work to be done with daylight saving time law. Detailed information on this process and daylight saving time laws, such as the Uniform Time Act, can be found at Daylight Saving Time Ending Soon—Here’s What To Know. Sharing their beliefs – here is what some Ohio University students think about “falling back” each year.
Emma Doty, a junior studying finance, business analytics and physics, does not like the end of daylight saving time.
“My brain turns off when it gets dark earlier,” she said. “It’s hard for me to study and get things done.”
Doty feels much more productive when it’s light outside, and she believes she’d get more done with an extra hour of daylight.
Alex Gabriel, a junior studying exercise physiology pre-physical therapy, is concerned about the health impacts of the tradition.
“I know it disrupts our circadian rhythm, which leads to sleep disorders, heart attacks and mental health issues,” he said.
He does not understand its purpose or see any benefit in continuing the tradition, especially if it causes harm.
“I don’t really mind that it gets dark earlier, it just kind of affects me health-wise,” he said.
For Gabriel, the darkness itself isn’t an issue.
In addition to decreasing productivity, the time change doesn’t align with humans' circadian rhythm – a 24-hour pattern that controls how bodies function. This disruption requires proper adjustments to sleep schedules, which may not be possible for all students.
Richard Mursinna, a junior in the ROTC program studying criminology, doesn’t like the effects on his sleep.
“I have to get up at four every morning (for ROTC), and I feel fatigued when the time changes,” he said.
For those like Mursinna who have strict routines, it can be difficult to adjust to any sort of change. Also, ROTC is physically demanding, and sleep is essential for recovery from physical activity. Similar to Doty and Gabriel, he doesn’t see any benefit in continuing the tradition.
Although the end of daylight saving time only sets time back a single hour, the change can significantly impact many students’ productivity. In addition, it can harm physical and mental health through the disruption of circadian rhythm. Sleep is extremely important to overall health, which may be grounds for setting a permanent, year-round time across the United States.
