Whether it is a snow day, a sick day, or your birthday, most students jump at the chance to take a break from cramming for tests, taking notes in lecture halls and clicking deep into the night to finish papers.

For some, however, the pressure of schoolwork overshadows.

That's where "Take Back Your Time Day" comes in.

This Sunday, Oct. 24, is "Take Back Your Time Day." In cities and universities all over the United States, people are holding rallies and giving speeches on creating a healthier balance between work and aspects of life.

In 2003, the first observance of "Time Day," events organized in more than a dozen states and Canada drew crowds ranging from a dozen people to nearly 1,000.

This year more events are planned across North America, although there is nothing in the works here at Penn State.

While an additional day off would have obvious benefits for college students, one of the brains behind "Time Day," John de Graaf, national coordinator and initiator of the Take Back Your Time organization, said that given today's political climate, it has a wider significance than just study relief.

"The most important thing is that people have time for their civic duties," de Graaf said. "I'm 58 and I can't think of an election with more important issues involved than this one -- whichever side you're on it's important, but people don't have time to consider the issues, and base their opinions on 30-second commercials on TV."

In addition to promoting "Time Day," Take Back Your Time has developed an agenda that they will present to the U.S. Senate that calls for a declaration of Election Day as a national holiday.

"It's a symbolic gesture," said de Graaf. "It's true that people say they don't have time to vote."

Robert Drago, professor of labor studies and industrial relations, sees "Time Day" as a way to reverse what he perceives as a drift toward a workaholic culture in America.

"If you go back 30 years, the people working long hours were the low-wage workers. Now it's the high-wage workers, too," he said. "People at the upper end [of the pay scale] are afraid to take time off; people on the lower end can't afford to. A person has a child and is back at work two days later. That's obscene."

The allure of "Time Day" has more to do with alleviating the pressure of collegiate life than anything else.

Kai Wong (junior-finance) said he would participate in the event if it were held at Penn State. "Oh yeah, definitely. I could catch up on my sleep," Wong said.

Some, however, don't see the need. Avia Reuveni (senior-science) said she would manage with whatever she has to do. "A lot of it also has to do with the pressure of finishing in four years, but if I have to do summer session, I'll do that," she said. "There's always going to be pressure; it's just how a person deals with it."

While there are no activities planned so far at Penn State, Drago hopes that next year the university will join others across North America in recognition of "Time Day."

Some campuses organize a single large event, while others do minor activities over the course of a week. At one school, The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wash., a class is offered: "Take Back Your Time: Consumerism, Ecology and Work."