Having A Car at College
Michelle Balaun2020-06-25T16:20:53-04:00Can You Get By Without a Car? If you have ever talked to a UCF student, you would know that the #1 complaint involves parking on campus. Whether your st [...]
The First Few Weeks
Michelle Balaun2019-12-18T15:31:53-05:00We completed the drop. We unloaded the car in the treacherous Florida heat and we set up their rooms. The bed was made, everything had been put away and [...]
Storage for your Stuff at UCF
Michelle Balaun2020-07-16T12:00:40-04:00Where Will They Put All Their Stuff? Is storage the answer? That time between semesters when they want to bring everything home for a few weeks or summe [...]
Money, Money, Money, Show Me The Money!
Michelle Balaun2020-06-23T18:55:51-04:00When will they get their financial aid, alias "money"? The time has come to pay for your college costs and panic sets in, where is the money? I remembe [...]
Take the LEAD
Michelle Balaun2019-12-18T14:35:59-05:00Apply for LEAD Academy. Looking for a leadership opportunity while at UCF? You may want to consider applying to be part of the LEAD Scholars Academy. UC [...]
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 [...]
Managing the Gap during breaks
Michelle Balaun2019-12-18T16:25:39-05:00Where Will They Live- Managing the Gap How will you manage the dreaded gap? Although it feels like you just moved your students into their dorms, you no [...]
I’m Not Your Maid
Michelle Balaun2020-09-04T15:05:29-04:00Maid Cleaning Services I never thought I would be saying this, but sometimes it is a good idea to hire a maid, a cleaning service for students. Hear me [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Are Your Student’s Valuables Safe, Protected?
Michelle Balaun2019-12-18T16:18:50-05:00But Is It Safe? Right up there with the call from my college daughter that she lost her phone, keys, student ID, (fill in the blank), is the call you ge [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Moving Out
Michelle Balaun2021-05-12T15:11:45-04:00Time to be Moving On Moving out can be almost as hectic as moving into the dorms and apartments. It did not make sense for us to drag the entire dorm su [...]
Dorm, Home Sweet Dorm
Michelle Balaun2020-09-24T16:12:38-04:00Just Like Home You may be surprised at how one can transition a mass-produced, industrial-looking dorm room into a warm and inviting room/suite. And the [...]
Orient Yourself – Orientation Tips
Michelle Balaun2020-04-04T16:08:51-04:00Overwhelm Potential If two nights and two days can make your head spin, these might be the two. Orientation, is not a bad thing, of course; it is just t [...]
Retail Therapy
Michelle Balaun2020-09-21T17:48:57-04:00A Little Retail Therapy There is plenty of shopping in Orlando – may be too much - and although your student is up there for school, there is always som [...]