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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
The Benefits of Joining the UF Alumni Association
Michelle Balaun2020-09-15T15:11:12-04:00Alumni Networking, Perks, and More… Before you know it, your student is walking across the stage at graduation and, with that last step, they are offici [...]
Football Time – Where to Watch the Gators
Michelle Balaun2021-08-31T16:48:48-04:00College football … Gators, It's Time We can’t wait for it! Time to start anticipating that our football team will end up nationally ranked and headed to [...]
Football Seats in The Swamp at UF
Michelle Balaun2021-04-23T12:38:26-04:00A Guide to The Swamp! Everyone should get to at least one Gator football game. Or, perhaps you want to get season tickets. One of the keys to making it [...]
Wake Up Gators, It’s Game Day!
Michelle Balaun2020-10-22T11:09:21-04:00Get ready for the big game with these attire tips! The best feeling for any college student, especially if you’re a Gator, is waking up knowing it's gam [...]
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 [...]
Is an A Really an A in your GPA?
Michelle Balaun2020-09-14T00:25:17-04:00Those Pluses and Minuses Do Count! In 2020, the University of Florida continues its rise, being named to the No. 6 spot in the U.S. News & World Rep [...]
Need Advice About Your College Career?
Michelle Balaun2020-02-27T13:12:31-05:00A Guide to Getting Advice As a fourth-year college student at the University of Florida, the best semesters were the ones in which I created my schedule [...]
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 [...]
Good Advice To My Freshman Self
Michelle Balaun2020-08-06T20:18:17-04:00Advice Every Freshman Should Know Starting a new experience like college is a good time for good (not just any, but legit) advice. As a senior in high s [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Make the Call to Admissions to Get Answers
Michelle Balaun2020-04-29T15:02:49-04:00If You're Worried, Then Call... Sometime later in February, the UF Admissions department sends out with their acceptance letters. My older daughter, my [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Making the Most of Summer B
Michelle Balaun2020-04-30T14:42:54-04:00Summer can be the best season ever! Ask any older Gator what their favorite semester has been so far and many will tell you it was freshman year Summer [...]
It’s All About the Delivery, get it now!
Michelle Balaun2020-09-15T12:50:24-04:00Delivery is the way To Go! Taking time away from studying to eat a meal sometimes feels impossible. Your student's choice can often mean the difference [...]
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 [...]
An Insider’s Guide to Campus Dorm Living at UF
Michelle Balaun2020-06-04T16:55:32-04:00Campus Living -- We have the inside scoop! For sure, start your process by reading about the dorms and where you should live on campus on the UF Housing [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Choosing or Changing Your Major
Michelle Balaun2020-09-18T01:13:30-04:00You can change your mind and your major! The University of Florida offers a million-gazillion (okay, a multitude of) degrees. How is your student suppos [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Birthright Israel – Hillel and the trip of a lifetime!
Michelle Balaun2021-01-14T16:20:14-05:00Young Jewish students trip. Birthright Israel is the gift of a free, 10-day trip to Israel designed for young adults of Jewish heritage, aged 18–32. Man [...]
I’m Not Your Maid, but here is a solution
Michelle Balaun2020-09-04T15:16:26-04:00Cleaning Maid Services Needed? I never thought I would be saying this, but sometimes it is actually a good idea to hire a cleaning service for your stud [...]
Dress for Success and be ready for Adulting!
Michelle Balaun2020-08-18T14:48:18-04:00Time to look the part! As they get closer to graduation, one of the greatest changes our students are about to experience is the need to abandon their s [...]
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 [...]
Career Showcase
Michelle Balaun2020-08-06T20:41:17-04:00A Student Perspective Sometimes the thought of choosing a career is scary. Attending a career showcase is important for all students no matter what year [...]
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 [...]
Spring Sports are fun in the sports!
Michelle Balaun2020-05-14T16:11:21-04:00There is always more than football! Spring may not feature the iconic collegiate sport of football, but there are tons of other sports to enjoy! (Don't [...]
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 [...]
Searching for Scholarships – Find Your Way
Michelle Balaun2020-08-19T20:01:51-04:00Searching for Scholarships Congratulations on Your Child Being Accepted! Now that that’s settled, the idea of actually paying for college looms. Hopefu [...]
They’ve Been Accepted, Now What?
Michelle Balaun2020-06-09T16:37:30-04:00They've Been Accepted Congratulations Class of 2024… YOU'VE BEEN ACCEPTED! It IS great to be a Florida Gator for so many reasons. You can all now take t [...]
The Best Apps For Students
Michelle Balaun2020-11-10T13:02:44-05:00UF and College Studying Apps Remember when you were in college and everything you needed was easily accessible via apps on your phone? No? Well, me eith [...]
Beauty and the Beast
Michelle Balaun2021-06-10T14:57:30-04:00Beauty and the Beast It's not just for fairy tales. Getting that beauty treatment makes her happy. As the mother of girls (one who's a performer), I kno [...]
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 [...]
Graduation Restaurant Reservations
Michelle Balaun2020-10-16T14:59:01-04:00Great Places to Celebrate Do you really need to make your restaurant reservations now? Graduation is a time to celebrate and a celebration requires a ni [...]
The Stress of College
Michelle Balaun2020-06-01T12:23:24-04:00The Stress of College Stress. It affects all of us, including our kids. Honestly, what do we expect from balancing a full schedule, the welcome distract [...]
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 [...]