By Will McFarlane, Staff Writer
People complain about the same things every winter. Mostly it’s just about the weather, but this year I’ve heard a lot of people complaining about the time change, which I really don’t understand.
For starters, the time change in November gives us an extra hour of sleep. There’s almost nothing better than an extra hour of sleep for a high schooler. Plus, we could all use it. I mean, what’s better than waking up at six in the morning and realizing that you still have another hour to sleep? That’s one of the best feelings in the world, one that we all cherish.
According to a study done by Nationwide Children, the average high schooler gets between seven to seven and a half hours of sleep at night, when we really need about nine hours to be fully rested. So even after that first day of the time change when we actually get an extra hour, the time change makes it easier to fall asleep earlier throughout the winter months so we can get closer to that nine hours without even trying.
My other reason for liking the time change so much is the same thing that most people hate: I love when it gets dark at 6 in the evening. I get why people would hate it. I understand that people want to be outside all the time because we live at the beach. But it’s winter, meaning that it is cold outside pretty much all the time. People need to understand that summer is over. The warm weather is gone and so is the beautiful, beating sun.
The time change also means colder weather, and I love the cold weather. It’s finally cold enough to bundle up at night without waking up in the morning drenched in sweat. Also, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with sitting next to a fireplace watching movies all night, so what’s there to complain about?
Instead of complaining about the time changing and when the sun sets, just accept the fact that it’s OK to stay inside after 6. Nobody has to be outside all the time. I love sleeping in a completely dark room, and with the time change I can do that at almost any time after school. To me, there’s nothing better than climbing into bed in my blacked-out room and just sleeping for hours.
Another plus with the time change and cold weather is bonfires. I’ve never met a person who doesn’t like a good bonfire, but a bonfire during summer can be pretty unpleasant. However, toasting marshmallows on an open fire during winter is ideal. Wrapping up in big blankets and sitting around a fire, talking and laughing with all your friends, is an experience that can’t be achieved any other time.
So contrary to popular opinion, the time change is the best part of winter, and that’s why I look forward to it every year.
Senior Will McFarlane can be reached at mcfarlanewi0712@daretolearn.org.
