Family Weekend
Michelle Balaun2020-10-01T20:06:41-04:00Gator Time = Family Time As a Gator Alum as well as a Gator Parent, any time an opportunity rolls around to enjoy some Gator football with my daughter, [...]
The First Few Weeks at School
Michelle Balaun2019-12-19T15:38:02-05:00We 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 [...]
Wakey Wakey- Eggs and Bakey, Breakfast Bests!
Michelle Balaun2020-06-24T10:07:20-04:00Best Breakfast Restaurants Like any city, there are literally hundreds of dining options here in Gainesville, from fast food to fast-casual, from family [...]
Having a Car at College
Michelle Balaun2019-12-19T15:39:44-05:00Can You Get By Without a Car? As a fourth-year student at the University of Florida, I have experienced college with and without a vehicle. While having [...]
The Innovation Academy Explained
Michelle Balaun2021-08-31T14:47:51-04:00All the Questions Answered: Innovation Academy So you just got into the University of Florida— what an exciting day! How vividly I still remember the da [...]
Just Desserts! Get Yours, In a Good Way…
Michelle Balaun2020-07-09T18:44:52-04:00Just Desserts! In a good way… "Getting your just desserts." Well, we think it's a better saying than what may have been originally been intended, becaus [...]
Study? The Best Places to Study at UF
Michelle Balaun2020-09-18T00:29:26-04:00Best Places to Study at UF My daughter, like every other college student, has her own way of studying. She does not like to study in a group but prefers [...]
Being Thrifty
Michelle Balaun2020-07-30T12:15:25-04:00When You Need to Stay on Budget, Be Thrifty! Being a college student, it can be stressful to be thrifty and stay on budget throughout the semester. Ther [...]
Nature vs Nurture Get out in nature at UF
Michelle Balaun2020-10-12T13:10:44-04:00Nature vs Nurture Do you love nature as I do? During my older daughter's high school graduation party, when she was excitedly celebrating her admission [...]
Sports
HUH Expert Parent2021-04-23T12:43:18-04:00Sports = Football Did U know...UF students get in FREE to all Gator athletic events, other than football, with their Gator1 ID Card. Regular season even [...]
Graduation Photography for your Gator
Michelle Balaun2020-10-29T14:49:14-04:00Memorialize Graduation Day with Photography Photography is a daily warm hug that reminds us of the big events in our lives. That's how I know you are go [...]
College Majors to Pursue at UF
Michelle Balaun2020-05-22T16:58:08-04:00Perhaps It’s Time to Consider Majors that are Sustainable in Tough Times Students usually choose a major over a period of time. I have always been a fan [...]
Computer and Phone Repair
Michelle Balaun2020-09-20T12:50:53-04:00Computer and Phone Repair My daughters have dropped their phones more times than I care to admit (or they care to share)...so much so that even the insu [...]
Finding an Internship at college
Michelle Balaun2020-08-31T16:36:48-04:00Best way to prepare for a job! What better way to learn about a prospective field or career than through an internship? I am a big believer in internshi [...]
How Will Students Stay Safe, Sane and Happy this Fall
Michelle Balaun2020-08-18T03:06:47-04:00Where is a Safe Spot at College? Safe, sane, and happy...is that possible? Colleges are doing their best to come up with new norms and protocols to keep [...]
Safest Places to Visit Your Student This Semester
Michelle Balaun2020-10-14T11:07:02-04:00We Still Love to Visit Our Gators Let’s face it, these are odd and crazy times! Things look very different at UF this semester but one thing is still fo [...]
Orange Crush or True-Blue …Gator!
Michelle Balaun2020-08-28T09:50:51-04:00Putting Together Great Gator Outfits I love going to Gator football games- there is nothing like game day. HaveUHeard how UF got its colors? In 1910, Or [...]
Weekend with Dad
Michelle Balaun2020-10-27T09:46:01-04:00The Best Things to Do With Your Dad at UF As a new college student at the University of Florida, leaving home was exciting. Free-dommmm!! As the months [...]
The Big Game -Where to Pregame at UF
Michelle Balaun2020-08-24T14:22:49-04:00All Part of the Football Game Day Tradition Football season is upon us! Other than making sure you will be properly attired in orange and blue and have [...]
Mother-Daughter Time
Michelle Balaun2020-03-19T15:45:04-04:00First-Timer I remember my first mother-daughter weekend in Gainesville. Although it was a sorority event, we did not participate in all of the planned a [...]
Safety Matters
HUH Expert Parent2019-12-19T16:29:18-05:00Safety UF takes safety very seriously. Technology has changed the landscape of how they impart information to students through texts and emails, and soc [...]
UF Gator Bucket List, Be Sure You Do These!
Michelle Balaun2020-09-15T12:24:29-04:00Check out these Gator Bucket items to do! If you have committed to becoming a Gator, there are a few things that you might want to check out over your n [...]
Santa Fe First
Michelle Balaun2019-12-19T16:32:39-05:00Santa Fe Then Transfer to UF Some students may not be ready for a big university, but want the excitement that goes along with it. For this reason, many [...]
UF COVID Updates
Michelle Balaun2020-09-30T22:47:13-04:00Stay Up to Date on COVID Plans I don’t think I have ever used the word “unprecedented” as much as I have since this COVID pandemic began. Actually, I do [...]
Top Majors to Consider at UF
Michelle Balaun2020-09-14T00:50:17-04:00So Many Majors... So much to consider, so little to lose when choosing among majors as a new Gator! The University of Florida is not just the home of th [...]
How to Transition as a Transfer Student
Michelle Balaun2019-12-19T16:33:34-05:00Transferring to a new college can be both daunting and exciting. I transferred to the University of Florida as a junior after completing my AA degree fr [...]
Places of Worship for Students
Michelle Balaun2020-09-14T11:21:07-04:00Continuing Traditions of Worship Worship can be a fulfilling addition to your college life. For all students, being able to continue to worship, pray, a [...]
Campus Resources for Students of Color
Michelle Balaun2020-07-27T10:33:36-04:00Campus Guide to Resources for Multicultural Students Campus diversity among students has grown considerably over the years and most colleges and univers [...]
Care Packages for UF Students
Michelle Balaun2020-10-08T11:37:50-04:00Who doesn’t enjoy getting a care package delivered? We know you really care, you care a lot about your student and want them to be happy. Whether it is [...]
Where the Wind Blows, Stormy Weather!
Michelle Balaun2020-09-01T13:47:29-04:00Florida Weather = Storm Having grown up in South Florida, I have made it through more than 45 Hurricane seasons. Yikes! But with that much hurricane pre [...]
Rushing Her Way
Michelle Balaun2020-05-12T11:22:08-04:00To Sorority or Not? Rushing In... Are you rushing in? For parents of incoming freshmen, you probably are starting to hear whispers about sorority recrui [...]
After The Hurricane
Michelle Balaun2019-12-19T16:50:59-05:00Post-Hurricane Dorian Hurricane Dorian was the first named storm to impact the state of Florida so far this Hurricane season. While Gainesville and most [...]
Sorority Girl
Michelle Balaun2020-09-24T15:40:30-04:00So They’ve Joined a Sorority Congratulations! Your daughter has found a place to call home in Gainesville besides the University itself. Being in a soro [...]
Rushing His Way
Michelle Balaun2019-12-19T16:52:30-05:00Is It Really an Animal House? Going back to 1978 with the release of “Animal House”, which became one of the most successful comedies of all time, to 20 [...]
21 and Oh So Fun, Here is where to celebrate!
Michelle Balaun2020-09-29T13:51:05-04:00An official adult now! Have fun! As do many students, my daughter turned 21 in the fall of her junior year at UF. There's a fun UF tradition where many [...]
Transferring to UF
Michelle Balaun2020-06-10T19:35:06-04:00Better late than never...Transferring to the Orange and Blue Many students leave for college unsure of what they'll find. Some ultimately realize when t [...]
Cultural Resources for Hispanic-Latino Students
Michelle Balaun2020-09-10T19:13:55-04:00Support, Empowerment, and Connection for Hispanic-Latino Students Taking giant steps of progress, campus diversity has burgeoned nationally over recent [...]
Diversity and Inclusion for LGBTQ College Students
Michelle Balaun2020-07-08T12:45:49-04:00LGBTQ Campus Support and Resources College can be challenging for all students, therefore finding ways to make connections with others who identify simi [...]
So your student wants to be a Gator?
Michelle Balaun2020-10-28T12:23:30-04:00So your student wants to be a Gator? That's understandable - Time Magazine ranked UF as the best school in Florida. UF is a great university, right down [...]
Trouble in Paradise
Michelle Balaun2020-10-20T11:50:18-04:00Your student got in trouble... Is your student having trouble? In trouble? Are they having problems with a roommate, an apartment lease, underage drinki [...]
Radio and TV Stations Are you watching?
HUH Expert Parent2019-12-19T17:01:19-05:00Media Stations Media touches all of our lives, TV, Radio, Internet, there are lots of options that we call our favorites. For students coming from large [...]
Away for the High Holidays
Michelle Balaun2020-10-02T15:00:54-04:00Celebrate High Holidays with a New Community Generally, our kids get to come home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. But for those who celebrate the upcomi [...]
Trick or Treat The College Version
Michelle Balaun2020-10-01T21:53:53-04:00Halloween - the most fun time! Trick or Treat Then... As a kid, I would race home from school so my mom could throw together some sort of costume for me [...]
Best Coffee Houses at UF
Michelle Balaun2020-10-21T14:38:45-04:00Coffee, Cup of Joe, a Cuppa, Java Caffeine is king for most college students and, while generally the most economically savvy way of getting it is makin [...]
Dance Marathon
Michelle Balaun2020-10-23T13:44:34-04:00You Can Dance If You Want To Perhaps you have seen the Facebook or Instagram posts from your student or friends’ kids that say #FTK or #ForTheKids. Mayb [...]