Where to Pre-Game at UCF
Michelle Balaun2020-07-21T14:05:55-04:00Tailgating Season Has Begun! Football season is upon us and other than making sure you will be properly attired in black and gold and have your keys rea [...]
Balance Recreation & Wellness Center at UCF
Michelle Balaun2019-12-18T15:57:26-05:00Because Balance is Important Going to college isn’t just about studying; no matter what parents think. Finding your balance while at school is incredibl [...]
Food for Thought
Michelle Balaun2020-07-01T15:02:18-04:00No Student Hungry Much like the national campaign No Kid Hungry®, there are many students at colleges throughout the United States that are barely getti [...]
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 [...]
First Time Student Loan Borrower?
Michelle Balaun2020-07-09T12:22:34-04:00You'll Need to Do This for a Loan. What is the Entrance Counseling? In July of 2016, the U.S. Department of Education made it a requirement that, in ord [...]
Volunteering Turns Your Compassion into Action
Michelle Balaun2019-12-18T15:33:59-05:00There are many reasons for volunteering. Volunteering lets you give back to the community, to make a difference in the world, to gain experience and to [...]
Bucket List for UCF
Michelle Balaun2020-09-21T17:56:27-04:00If you have committed to becoming a Knight...fill this bucket. There are a few things that you might want to check out over your next for years at UCF. [...]
Preparing for Grad School Exams
Michelle Balaun2021-05-07T13:12:33-04:00Exams, the fun never stops! Exams are right around the corner. I know it feels like you just finished studying for the ACT/SAT’s and left for college, b [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Transferring to UCF
Michelle Balaun2019-12-18T16:45:57-05:00Transferring to Become a Knight! Some students leave for college unsure of what to find and realize when they get there that it is not the place for the [...]
Finding an Internship and Getting Experience
Michelle Balaun2020-09-09T14:35:13-04:00Get the experience you need with an Internship. ***UCF wants students to know that Career Services says students shouldn't slow down on thinking about i [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
They’ve Been Accepted, A New Knight!
Michelle Balaun2020-06-30T11:50:30-04:00Here's what you do now, new Knight! Your son or daughter is going to be a Knight!! Congratulations!! It is great to be a Knight for so many reasons. You [...]
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 [...]
Bright Futures, Get Your Shades Ready!
Michelle Balaun2020-06-01T20:02:35-04:00The Future Is So Bright You'll Need Shades! SEE END OF BLOG FOR CHANGES EFFECTIVE WITH THE 2020-2021 ACADEMIC SCHOOL YEAR Bright Futures has been a grea [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Study Abroad UCF and See The Word.
Michelle Balaun2020-06-30T18:22:31-04:00The World is your Classroom so Study Abroad! The world is your classroom. I am a big believer in this adage. Apparently many students agree as Study Abr [...]
Get Involved
Michelle Balaun2020-06-25T15:38:03-04:00Get Involved With an undergraduate enrollment of nearly 60,000; the second-largest university in the United States, set in Florida’s home to more than a [...]
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 [...]
Entertainment
Michelle Balaun2020-01-27T15:51:58-05:00All Round Good Times. It seems almost silly to write about things to do when visiting your student at UCF simply based on the fact that our kids are lit [...]
Rushing His Way and How To Win It.
Michelle Balaun2019-12-18T16:23:55-05:00Frat. Rush. Rushing. Do you what Rushing is? For parents of incoming freshmen, you have probably started to hear about the fraternity rush. The way rush [...]
Rushing Her Way – What is Rush?
Michelle Balaun2020-09-21T17:52:30-04:00The Rush Note: Fall 2020 - A lot of sororities are still doing open bidding for those girls who didn’t go through/dropped recruitment. Open bidding mean [...]
FAFSA, all you need to know!
Michelle Balaun2020-10-02T10:13:37-04:00What is – FAFSA? First Applicants Find Substantial Assets, of course! FAFSA is the national Free Application for Federal Student Aid but, based on how a [...]
Tutoring
Michelle Balaun2020-08-21T10:08:59-04:00….It’s a Good Thing UCF, Student Academic Resource Center, wants students to know that whether you’re needing help with study skills or find a specific [...]
Safety Matters
Michelle Balaun2019-12-18T14:35:15-05:00Their Safety is Really All that Matters I’m not a helicopter parent. Really, I’m not. (Ok, some may disagree.) Regardless, once we have moved our studen [...]
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 [...]
Hotels
Michelle Balaun2020-08-07T17:15:50-04:00A Nice Place to Stay Keeping in mind that Orlando is not only a college town but also the fun capital, there is a vast selection of hotel options. There [...]