On Sunday, Nov. 3, the clocks in the United States turned back one hour as daylight savings time came to an end for the winter. Even though we gain an extra hour of sleep, the transition can disrupt our lives — particularly those of students. The time change often disrupts routines and can have significant effects on mental health, as well as academic performance and attendance.
Mental Health Impact
Counselors and professors at Parkland College have seen how the time change has adverse effects on students. The shift often leads to confusion and fatigue, making it difficult for students to stay focused and engaged in their studies.
Paige Spangler, a counselor at Parkland College, talks about how equilibrium and serotonin are affected. “Students have created a rhythm to homework and how they accomplish things day to day or week to week,” she says. “Daylight savings time throws that equilibrium off. Serotonin plays a part in this as well and is one of the chemicals that helps regulate moods.” Spangler also mentions how the disruption often aggravates pre-existing mental health issues, including but not limited to, anxiety, depression and ADHD.
Additionally, the time change affects students’ sleep patterns, leading to irregular sleep schedules and difficulty waking up for early morning classes. According to Spangler, “People with depression and anxiety can be particularly affected because it can throw off [one’s] sleep [schedule].”
The lack of sunlight in the mornings can also contribute to low motivation, making it harder for students to maintain a positive outlook. “We are attuned to light,” says Spangler. “When it is light out, we feel more connected to the day and feel like we can be more active. Dark signals that it’s time to rest.”
Attendance and Grades
Students who struggle to adjust to the time change often find it challenging to keep up with their coursework and meet deadlines, ultimately impacting their grades. LAS Professor, Amber Landis, noted how she has noticed a drop in student attendance within the last two weeks, but thinks that factors such as the election and Halloween may also be associated with it. “There are some other factors associated with it, not just daylight savings, but I have seen less attendance,” she says.
Psychology Professor, Ted Powers, has also noticed changes in student attendance and grades around the time changes each year. The disruption to their schedules on top of midterms and final exam preparation stretches some students too thin, and many end up dropping or withdrawing from their classes. Powers explained that, “though some students with marginal grades become motivated to improve their grades, it sadly seems that many of those students give up and stop attending.”
Coping Strategies
There are several strategies that students can use to mitigate the negative effects of the time change. Experts at The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommend establishing and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, reducing screen time before bed and finding ways to unwind and relax.
Spangler also mentions how eating healthy and exercising regularly also helps to minimize those negative effects. “I like to call it body-first; in other words, thinking of what your body needs,” she says. “Also, maximize your time in the sun and get outside when it is sunny; it is good Vitamin D.”
As far as staying on top of coursework goes, Landis recommends sticking to a schedule and keeping a planner. She also emphasizes the importance of getting involved on campus. “Get involved in some activities on campus that might give you a little mental break or something fun.”
As it gets closer to finals, Parkland offers stress-less activities such as holiday card making and massage chairs that are meant to give students a breather as they prepare for finals. In addition to giving themselves breathers through the next couple months, Landis’ no. 1 tip for students is to “visit your professors’ office hours as it can help to get that personalized support.”
Parkland also offers counseling services Mondays-Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., which you can sign up for at counselingsupportcenter.parkland.edu. The counseling center also has a crisis line for students in need of immediate help at (217) 359-4141.
