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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Off Campus Living
Michelle Balaun2020-07-06T11:46:43-04:00Economical to Extravagant Living It happens before you know it. They are really living it. Literally. In about October or November of your student’s fre [...]
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 [...]
Sports
Michelle Balaun2019-12-18T14:07:50-05:00UCF Sports If I think back to touring UCF when it was down to decision time as to which college, one of the first things I realized was that I better le [...]
Health Insurance for Students at UCF
Michelle Balaun2020-06-25T16:30:48-04:00Insurance Plans and Requirements Students at many colleges today must have a health insurance plan that meets their university’s minimum requirement. T [...]
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 [...]
Fix It!
Michelle Balaun2020-06-11T14:54:25-04:00Repair Shops - Fix it right! Car, scooter, or bike, oh my! What if it breaks down, and you need a fix-it shop? At UCF, you will find all in large number [...]
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 [...]
Grocery Stores
Michelle Balaun2020-07-20T13:19:09-04:00Let’s Eat Whether your student lives on campus or off, they will need groceries. Orlando has plenty of places to shop right near UCF in this regard. For [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]