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 [...]
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. [...]
Meal Plans for Hungry Students
Michelle Balaun2020-05-25T14:45:18-04:00To Buy or Not to Buy - Meal Plans Some of us will miss those family dinners. Others will find some relief. Either way, we all want to know that our kids [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Just Desserts! In a good way…
Michelle Balaun2020-07-29T14:15:05-04:00Our favorite meal, the best desserts! Eat dessert first or getting your just desserts. Either way, desserts are often our favorite meal! Sometimes, we t [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Birthright Israel
Michelle Balaun2021-01-14T16:19:30-05:00Young Jewish Adults Trip to Israel. What is Birthright Israel? Birthright Israel is the gift of a free, 10-day trip to Israel designed for young adults [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Getting There – All the Transportation Options
Michelle Balaun2020-06-25T15:54:07-04:00The First Time That first time you drop your student off at a college you will probably want to go with them and get them settled. Many of you will driv [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Trouble in Paradise
Michelle Balaun2019-12-18T16:33:38-05:00Trouble, sometimes it happens. I began our conversations about walking alone at night, binge drinking, hazing, and drugs, among other things many months [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Choosing or Changing Your Major
Michelle Balaun2019-12-18T16:35:46-05:00You Can Always Change Your Mind (Major). Considering the University of Central Florida offers 101 bachelor degrees; how is one to choose? Most students [...]
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 [...]
Books, Books, Books
Michelle Balaun2020-08-20T15:47:44-04:00Reality Begins Now that our sons and daughters are settled at college the reality begins (not ours, which happened for me the second I got into the car [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Radio and TV Stations, yeah they are still around
Michelle Balaun2019-12-18T16:51:11-05:00Media Details including TV For students coming from larger cities who are accustomed to nationally syndicated stations, rest assured, there are plenty o [...]