Food for Thought – Some Students Need Help
Michelle Balaun2020-07-01T15:13:46-04:00No Student Hungry, Food for All! Much like the young students featured in the national campaign, No Kid Hungry®, there are many students at colleges thr [...]
Volunteering Turns Your Compassion into Action
Michelle Balaun2019-12-19T10:40:37-05:00Volunteering with passion is key. From personal experience, I have found that those who volunteer with passion and find purpose in their work also gain [...]
Want Easy? Get on the Bus!
Michelle Balaun2020-06-24T15:26:00-04:00A Guide to Gainesville’s Bus System Getting to and from campus can be stressful-worrying about arriving to class on time with Gainesville morning and ev [...]
Sorting Out College Life – A Guide to Laundry
Michelle Balaun2020-07-20T11:38:31-04:00Laundry, the worst chore ever! I spent my daughter’s senior year of high school teaching her how to do laundry. I even tried using enticements (aka brib [...]
Restaurants for Dinner Time
Michelle Balaun2020-08-18T03:06:10-04:00Dinner, Early or Late! Considering you will make many trips to UF to visit your student over the next four years (or more), it is well worth exploring t [...]
Finding a Roommate at The Swamp!
Michelle Balaun2019-12-19T13:35:01-05:00Adjusting to shared living with a roommate. When I got into the University of Florida, my biggest dream came true. I had envisioned my four years at The [...]
Working While in College
Michelle Balaun2020-11-10T13:02:16-05:00Working or Not Working, That is the Question. Some students have to work to pay for college. Some consider their school work their only job and are fort [...]
Honor Roll
Michelle Balaun2020-05-28T21:52:47-04:00My Student Made Honor Roll It's always something of a goosebumps moment when a gold-embossed, cream-colored, linen envelope arrives in the mail. At this [...]
Retail Therapy
HUH Expert Parent2019-12-19T13:35:56-05:00A Little Retail Therapy You will find almost every major box store including Target, Walmart, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Best Buy, Family Dollar Store, TJ [...]
What Not to Bring with You to College
Michelle Balaun2020-04-28T11:03:09-04:00You really don't need that at college! If you haven’t started shopping for your incoming college freshman yet, whether for things for their dorm or clot [...]
Student Accessibility Services
Michelle Balaun2019-12-19T13:33:14-05:00Accessibility Accommodations for all students. My daughter has several friends that require special accessibility accommodations for their disability; s [...]
Parking at UF – It’s Not As Easy As It Sounds!
Michelle Balaun2019-12-19T13:42:06-05:00Get that last spot! You sent them to college with a car and they are grateful. However, although it will make a weekly Publix run easier, no one really [...]
Technology Needs for UF Students
Michelle Balaun2020-08-18T03:24:37-04:00HaveUHeard that Microsoft Office 365 technology is free? No need to clean your glasses! It says exactly what you thought it did: Free technology for all [...]
Who You Going to Call?
Michelle Balaun2020-05-14T16:06:08-04:00...When You Need Answers Here is the important contact info you need to have. Over the years there have only been a few times that I, as a parent, have [...]
Move In? All the Tips and Tricks to Making it Easy
HUH Expert Parent2020-06-12T12:26:57-04:00Move-In Date! Apartments and Dorms Your student has been given their move-in date and dorm/residence assignment! Now begins the process of handling what [...]
Pets in School
Michelle Balaun2020-11-10T13:01:52-05:00Take Your Dog (Or Cat) to College? We have cats who my Gator daughter misses dearly. And dogs are called "man's best friend" for a reason. Let’s face i [...]
Taking the Campus Tour Helps You Decide
Michelle Balaun2020-09-14T01:02:11-04:00A Tour Can Help You Make Your College Decision 'Tis the season for campus tours. Yes, we know. Many of you have already visited a LOT of schools. But no [...]
Hotels
HUH Expert Parent2020-09-01T12:23:38-04:00A Nice Place to Stay Although it won't seem like it on a busy weekend, there are definitely plenty of hotel options for your visit to Gainesville. Remem [...]
U Matter We Care at UF
HUH Expert Parent2019-12-19T13:52:01-05:00We Really Do Care We know you care too! Now you have your college student moved in and they are ready to embark on a new independent life. As a parent, [...]
Namast’ay with Yoga at UF Get Your Ommmm on!
Michelle Balaun2020-09-21T17:58:46-04:00Keeping Stress at Bay with Yoga I started doing yoga several years ago after being invited by friends. I never thought of myself as much of a yoga perso [...]
Lost and Found
Michelle Balaun2020-04-28T14:51:42-04:00Oh No...It Happened! It's Lost. Have you ever lost anything really important before? My daughter spent the summer studying abroad. She was warned about [...]
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, [...]
U.F. Move.In.Day.
Michelle Balaun2020-07-22T21:26:02-04:00U.F.M.I.D. (Move-In Day) UF’s move-in day is…well…a LOT of work. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and be prepared for many trips to the car as well a [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Sorority Recruitment: What to Expect & What to Wear
Michelle Balaun2020-07-22T12:56:07-04:00Here Are Tips & Tricks On What to Wear It’s very exciting, what to wear for recruitment is at the top of your list. Welcome to the University of Flo [...]
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 [...]