Parking at UCF
Michelle Balaun2020-07-03T13:55:12-04:00For my next magic trick, I will conjure up a parking space! You sent them to college with a car and they are grateful. However, although it will make a [...]
Namast’ ay at UCF: A Guide to Yoga Classes
Michelle Balaun2020-09-21T18:25:29-04:00Om Shanti! For years I tried to get my daughter to enjoy yoga with me, but she had multiple excuses. I knew it would be good for her mentally and physic [...]
Sorting Out College Life – A Guide to Laundry, Dry Cleaning & Alterations
Michelle Balaun2020-09-21T16:24:40-04:00The least favorite chore! I tried to teach my kids to do laundry before they each left for college. Really. I did. Yet, somehow when they went away to s [...]
Student Accessibility Services at UCF
Michelle Balaun2019-12-18T14:38:48-05:00Accessibility for all at UCF! When my oldest began college, which can feel tremendous by way of size alone compared to high school, she was relieved to [...]
Making the Most of Summer B
Michelle Balaun2020-03-23T14:23:00-04:00This is when summer gets fun! ** Due to the unusual and unprecedented Spring (2020) situation and circumstances, Summer B 2020 classes will also be onli [...]
More Veggies Please
Michelle Balaun2020-06-03T14:53:43-04:00Vegan/Vegetarian Dining Slowly, but surely, more and more young people are going vegan or vegetarian. I can’t blame them. Sometimes the choices on or ar [...]
Let’s Do Lunch Because we can!
Michelle Balaun2020-09-21T17:39:22-04:00Best lunch places we know! Lunch is the fun break in the middle of the day! Like any college town and/or city where many residents carry a yearly fun pa [...]
Wakey, Wakey Eggs & Bakey
Michelle Balaun2020-07-28T18:10:24-04:00Our favorite meal of the day! Wakey-wakey! Like any college town or city where many residents carry a yearly fun pass, there are literally hundreds of [...]
Dinner, Early or Late! Let’s eat!
Michelle Balaun2020-09-21T16:20:24-04:00The secret to getting a good dinner. Like any college town and/or city where many residents carry a yearly fun pass, there are literally hundreds of di [...]
It’s All About the Delivery and Getting it to Your Door
Michelle Balaun2020-09-15T12:47:48-04:00There's a knock at the door... Taking time away from studying can be the difference between dinner or a bag of chips and a soda. Sometimes it pays to t [...]
An Insider’s Guide to Living on Campus at UCF
Michelle Balaun2022-03-09T12:56:40-05:00The inside scoop for real! You can certainly read about the dorms and where to live on campus on the UCF Housing and Residence Life pages, but we asked [...]
Finding a Roommate for the first time
Michelle Balaun2020-06-11T14:29:14-04:00First time living with someone you're not related to, your first roommate! Living in a dorm during my freshman year was probably one of the best decisio [...]
Technology Services
Michelle Balaun2020-08-13T13:29:40-04:00UCF Technology Services Students should create a Knights email account which you may use once you are fully admitted. Students also receive 50GB of stor [...]
Rosen College of Hospitality Management
Michelle Balaun2019-12-18T16:39:25-05:00Learn and Work in the Industry Hospitality Capital of the World. HaveUheard that Orlando is officially the most visited city in the nation? I bet that i [...]
Dress for Success
Michelle Balaun2020-08-18T14:46:08-04:00Time to Step it Up As they get closer to graduation, one of the greatest changes our students are about to experience is abandoning their shorts, t-shir [...]
Career Showcase- A Student Perspective
Michelle Balaun2020-08-28T13:45:18-04:00It's normal to change your mind. When I first applied to UCF, I didn’t even have a question of what my major would be. I confidently clicked Psychology [...]
Finding A Job During Senior Year
Michelle Balaun2020-10-09T12:24:12-04:00Start Your Job Search Soon if You Are a Senior! ***UCF wants students to know that Career Services says students shouldn't slow down on thinking about i [...]
Roommates and Residential Life
Michelle Balaun2020-03-03T16:14:12-05:00How to manage a shared living space. For many students entering college, this may be their first time away from home for an extended period of time. Whi [...]
Searching for Scholarships to Help Pay the Way!
Michelle Balaun2020-08-21T14:03:26-04:00Congratulations on Your Child Being Accepted! Now that that’s settled, the idea of actually paying for college looms. Hopefully, you have prepared in s [...]
Working While Attending College
Michelle Balaun2020-10-17T18:36:15-04:00Make Some Moola While at School. Some students have to work to pay for college, some consider their school work their only job and fortunately don’t hav [...]
Knight-Thon, Dance all night! Do good!
Michelle Balaun2020-10-23T13:49:31-04:00Dance The Night Away Do you dance? When my kids were in high school, they each did some sort of volunteer work; all noble and worthy. Then they got to c [...]
Computer and Phone Repair, Yes they can fix it.
Michelle Balaun2020-09-20T12:57:33-04:00OMG. It's Broken. The day my daughter’s phone broke, and she thought the world would come to an end, was nothing compared to when her computer stopped w [...]
Study – The Best Places to Study around UCF Campus
Michelle Balaun2020-08-20T16:26:37-04:00Finding a good place to study is very important for students. However, they all need a few other options for good places to study. Fortunately, there ar [...]
The Best Apps For Students
Michelle Balaun2020-08-21T16:54:12-04:00UCF and College Studying Apps Remember when you were in college and everything was easily accessible via an app on your phone? No? Well, me either. Our [...]
Beauty & The Beast
Michelle Balaun2021-06-10T14:55:25-04:00Look Your Beauty Best! Beauty upkeep is important to your well-being. When planning for college, we rarely think about the fact that our kids may still [...]
Nature vs Nurture, there is more than the “Mouse”
Michelle Balaun2020-09-10T12:19:10-04:00As they say, after Disney... Once you’ve completed your obligatory Disney trip, your most recent trips to Orlando have probably been about seeing the sc [...]
Honor Roll
Michelle Balaun2020-06-25T16:53:33-04:00Did you get a letter? It is that time of year when students receive notifications that they have made a collegiate scholar society. The cream-colored li [...]
Trick or Treat
Michelle Balaun2020-10-02T13:45:20-04:00Halloween, the most fun time! Trick or Treat - That Was Then… I would race home from school so my mom could put together some sort of costume for me the [...]
The Stress of College
Michelle Balaun2020-06-01T12:07:20-04:00Here are Ways to Beat Stress at School Stress. It happens to all of us, including our kids. As though a full schedule and trying to maintain a social li [...]
Eating Healthy – Healthy Students
Michelle Balaun2020-06-12T12:07:00-04:00Eating, it really does help concentration! It can be hard to be eating 'healthy' when at college. Meal plans, rushing to and from classes and activities [...]
Eating on a Budget is More Than Just Ramen
Michelle Balaun2020-09-21T17:34:53-04:00This is a budget lesson that will serve you in the future! Some students actually keep to a budget. I know this is true because I have had three of my o [...]
Sorority Girl
Michelle Balaun2020-09-24T15:39:00-04:00So They’ve Joined a Sorority Congratulations if your daughter has found a place to call home. Being in a sorority opens the door to so many wonderful ex [...]
After The Hurricane
Michelle Balaun2019-12-18T16:22:47-05:00Post-Hurricane Irma Prior to Hurricane Dorian, our blog talked a lot about Hurricane Irma which definitely left Floridians on their toes. Hurricane Irma [...]
Staying Fit
Michelle Balaun2020-09-01T10:41:03-04:00Freshman 15 - No Way! The Fit Way! Note: While much of the usual fitness options may not be available due to these unprecedented times, there still are [...]
So you want to be a Knight? Here’s How!
Michelle Balaun2020-10-28T12:22:23-04:00Be a Knight! I don’t blame you; the excitement can’t be beaten. To be a Knight, belonging to a superior University and enjoying all the experiences and [...]
Homecoming, the best game of the season.
Michelle Balaun2020-10-07T12:25:11-04:00Knight Spirit!! This year, Homecoming 2020 looks a little different, particularly since it is postponed until Spring 2021. Scheduled for Oct. 18-24, Hom [...]
Places of Worship, Keep it Traditional
Michelle Balaun2019-12-18T15:52:45-05:00Continuing Traditions of Worship If you’re wondering about keeping up the tradition of worship, here are some thoughts. Shortly after my daughter starte [...]
What Not To Bring To College!
Michelle Balaun2020-06-30T12:50:19-04:00Nope, Don't Need It Actually what I wanted to share here was that given that this is my third child to head off to college, I have learned that there ar [...]
Graduation Tips for the Seriously Graduating!
Michelle Balaun2020-10-29T14:17:06-04:00Seriously, Graduating Already? Remember how when our kids were little we couldn’t envision them leaving us and going off to college? Now, if you are lik [...]
Mother – Daughter Time
Michelle Balaun2020-09-21T17:47:06-04:00Spending Time Whether you are coming up for a mother-daughter sorority weekend or just to spend time with your daughter, you will find plenty to do toge [...]
Move. In. Day. at U.C.F.
Michelle Balaun2020-06-12T12:53:53-04:00U.C.F. M.I.D. UCF’s move-in day is …well…a lot of work. Be prepared for many trips to the car and possibly one or two to the store for the inevitable fo [...]
Lost and Found, more than a box of junk
Michelle Balaun2020-07-10T18:04:05-04:00Oh No...it happened! It's Lost! Have you ever lost your phone or wallet, you get that sudden sinking feeling? My daughter spent the summer studying abro [...]
Sick at School, Mom Can Help!
Michelle Balaun2020-09-29T11:56:11-04:00Mom..... Due to the current situation regarding COVID-19, as of Monday, March 23, 2020, Student Health Services’ Downtown office will provide telehealth [...]
Parents Weekend UCF Style
Michelle Balaun2020-09-11T16:53:25-04:00The Big Weekend I had been accustomed to booking for Parents Weekend the second it was announced, based on my older children who went to other colleges. [...]
Where the Wind Blows – Storms and Preparation
Michelle Balaun2020-10-07T12:28:07-04:00South Florida Knows...Storms Having grown up in South Florida, I have gone through more than 40 Hurricane seasons, storms galore! I prepared for my firs [...]
Budget 101
Michelle Balaun2020-09-21T17:36:31-04:00Money Doesn't Grow on Trees At orientation we were inundated with information about all sorts of things; from FAFSA forms to meal plans. No one ever rea [...]
What U Should Do Before Heading to UCF
Michelle Balaun2020-06-11T12:11:45-04:00Before You Leave Before you leave to take your kid to college, there are a few items you will want to take care of that are extremely important. Most co [...]
Moving In The Easiest Way
Michelle Balaun2020-01-28T11:43:07-05:00Let's Move! Once your student has been given their move-in date and dorm/residence assignment, the process of handling what can be a stressful, labor-in [...]