The Cavalier Daily
Serving the University Community Since 1890

Time Flies

"Time flies when you're having fun" -- or when you set your clocks an hour ahead in the middle of the night.

Since around the time of World War I, Americans have been observing the federal mandate known as Daylight Saving Time.

The practice requires most of America to make the adjustment and consequently lose one hour before daybreak on the first Sunday of every April.

Although this happens each spring, students said it is possible to forget.

First-year College student Jeri Maynard said she always finds herself asking, "Where did that hour go?"

She said she really only pays attention to the end of Daylight Saving Time, when the lost hour comes back in the fall.

Although the sun rose an hour later Sunday morning, not all who forgot the change were left in the dark.

"I'm actually a little oblivious," first-year Architecture student Ryan Wall said. "But seeing the signs downstairs [at O-Hill] reminded me."

Wall said she did not mind losing an hour of daylight in the morning because that is usually when she is asleep.

First-year College student Nellie Dunderdale said she was also not fazed by the drawbacks of Daylight Saving Time for one reason.

"There's more sunlight," Dunderdale said.

Second-year College student Ryan McElveen said he was less interested in the time change.

"In this day and age, it's not a great deal, primarily for those of us who don't make our living farming," McElveen said. "I much prefer gaining an hour in the fall ... for obvious reasons."

McElveen said his schedule can be disrupted by Daylight Saving Time.

"I get up and run early every morning, so I kind of prefer to have [more] light in the morning," McElveen said.

Other students said they plan to use the extra hour of afternoon daylight.

Wall's plans involve "just being able to take advantage of the nice weather longer," she said.

Wall said she expects to do more homework outside or hang out with friends.

Eating outside is also an option, she said.

Despite Daylight Saving Time's yearly occurrence, changes are on the horizon. Starting in 2007, Americans will no longer need to remember this April obligation. Instead, clocks will be turned forward a few weeks earlier -- the second Sunday in March.

The switch also applies to the end of Daylight Saving Time, which will occur next year during November instead of October.

McElveen said he appreciates the change.

"I think it's always exciting to switch things up," McElveen said.

Local Savings

Comments

Latest Video

Latest Podcast

With the Virginia Quarterly Review’s 100th Anniversary approaching Executive Director Allison Wright and Senior Editorial Intern Michael Newell-Dimoff, reflect on the magazine’s last hundred years, their own experiences with VQR and the celebration for the magazine’s 100th anniversary!