Being Thrifty
Michelle Balaun2020-06-29T09:20:23-04:00When You Need to Stay on Budget Before coming to college, I knew I wanted an updated wardrobe. Being trendy and cute is important. So is being thrifty. [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
College Majors to Pursue at UCF
Michelle Balaun2020-05-12T14:32:10-04:00Perhaps It’s Time to Consider Majors that are Sustainable in Tough Times Students usually choose their majors over time. I have always been a fan of tak [...]
Sorority Recruitment: What to Expect & What to Wear
Michelle Balaun2020-09-13T11:19:58-04:00Here Are Tips & Tricks on What to Wear Adding another chapter to your life is a big deal. If you decide to go through sorority recruitment at UCF, i [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Get on the Bus
Michelle Balaun2020-06-25T15:19:06-04:00A Guide to UCF’s Bus System The bus could be your answer... If you’ve ever been to UCF’s campus, you know that driving and parking can be a hassle. Gett [...]
Supervise an Easy Budget for Your College Student
Michelle Balaun2020-10-19T10:27:35-04:00This is a budget lesson that will serve you in the future! Some students actually keep to a budget. Well, sort of. I admit, it was hard telling my daugh [...]
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 [...]
Diversity and Inclusion for LGBTQ College Students
Michelle Balaun2020-07-06T17:09:20-04:00LGBTQ Campus Support and Resources College can be challenging for all students which is why finding ways to make connections with others who identify si [...]
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 [...]
Advice to my Freshman Self
Michelle Balaun2020-08-06T21:08:06-04:00Advice Every Freshman Should Know College life seems like a dream. It’s the first time living away from home and not by parents’ rules. College classes [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Good as Gold Knight
Michelle Balaun2020-08-24T11:51:53-04:00Putting Together Great Knight Outfits I love going to UCF football games- there is nothing like game day. HaveUHeard how UCF got its colors? In 1970, a [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Campus Resources for Students of Color
Michelle Balaun2020-07-21T14:31:05-04:00Campus Guide to Resources for African American Students Campus diversity amongst students has grown considerably over the years and UCF vies to maintain [...]
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 [...]
Weekend with Dad
Michelle Balaun2020-10-27T09:47:11-04:00The Best Things to Do With Your Dad on the Weekend My first father-daughter weekend was freshman year when my dad and I didn’t really know what to do fo [...]
UCF Coronavirus Update
Michelle Balaun2020-07-29T11:50:00-04:00Update on Latest Plans Seems like finding the right update in this unusual time is tricky. I don’t think I have ever used the word unprecedented as much [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 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 [...]
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 [...]
Cultural Resources for Hispanic-Latino Students
Michelle Balaun2020-08-24T11:49:08-04:00Support, Empowerment, and Connection for Hispanic-Latino Students Campus diversity amongst students has grown considerably over the years and colleges v [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Care Packages for UCF Students
Michelle Balaun2020-09-30T11:51:45-04:00Who doesn’t enjoy getting a package delivered? We know you really care, you care a lot about your student and want them to be happy. Whether it is for a [...]
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 [...]