You need an excuse to ride? Seriously, I'm blessed with a flexible schedule, but even if I wasn't a student and a freelancer, and had a typical nine to five job (of which I've had many), I'd just get up at that crack of dawn to ride (wait, I do this anyway).

Though, if you are new this approach might be discouraging. So, ride to work, ride during lunch, ride on weekends, and don't worry, summer's coming, it'll be lighter out later, so ride at night (bring blinkies).