Being Thrifty
Michelle Balaun2020-08-16T14:18:13-04:00Need to Stay on a Budget? Be Thrifty! Are you thrifty? Being a college student, it can be stressful to be thrifty and stay on budget throughout the seme [...]
Who You Going to Call?
Michelle Balaun2020-05-05T16:39:49-04:00…When You Need Answers, You can Call! The important call contact info you need to have. Over the years there have been only a few times that I, as a par [...]
Sending A Package to Your Student?
Michelle Balaun2020-07-30T14:20:50-04:00Make Sure the Package Gets There There are many reasons that a student receives a package. It could just be their usual Amazon delivery or a care packag [...]
The First Few Weeks
Michelle Balaun2020-01-09T11:18:35-05:00We 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 [...]
Technology Needs for UM Students
Michelle Balaun2020-08-13T13:28:17-04:00Here Is What You Get Free! The vision of the University of Miami's Information Technology (UMIT) department is to be the best information technology org [...]
An Insider’s Guide to Living on Campus
Michelle Balaun2020-01-29T13:33:11-05:00Here's How to Manage Your U-Miami Campus Living At the University of Miami, with on-campus housing, what you see is what you get. Students are only requ [...]
Where Will They Live- Managing the Gap
Michelle Balaun2020-07-16T12:05:32-04:00Manage That Weird In-Between Gap Time. Although it feels like you just moved your students into their dorms, you now have to move them out. The worst pa [...]
I’m Not Your Maid: Cleaning Services
Michelle Balaun2020-09-04T15:07:39-04:00Maid, It Might Be The Best Solution... I never thought I would be saying this, but sometimes it is a good idea to hire a maid for your students’ apartme [...]
New Housing for UM Students
Michelle Balaun2020-01-09T10:24:36-05:00Updated New Living Environments Coming To UM Have you seen the housing? Freshman housing is the one area that most students can agree on, needs improvem [...]
Moving In?
Michelle Balaun2020-01-28T11:44:41-05:00Once your student has been given their move-in date and dorm or residence assignment, the process of handling what can be a stressful, labor-intensive and often expensive process begins. The moving in scenario.
Roommates and Residential Life
Michelle Balaun2020-01-09T10:35:10-05:00Learning To Live With Others... For many students entering college, this may be their first time away from home for an extended period of time. While do [...]
What Not to Bring, Nope You Don’t Need That!
Michelle Balaun2020-04-28T11:07:00-04:00Read This Before You Shop! If you haven’t started shopping for what to bring for your incoming freshman yet, whether for things for their dorm or clothe [...]
Best Spots On Campus To Study
Michelle Balaun2020-08-14T11:59:33-04:00Just Need A Quiet Place, Right? If you’re a student that enjoys studying outdoors, there is no shortage of open green spaces and lush tropical corners to hide away and get to the books.
Orient Yourself – Find Your Own Way
Michelle Balaun2020-02-27T13:30:37-05:00If two nights and two days can make your head spin, these might be the two. It’s not a bad thing, of course; it is just the amount of information can get a bit overwhelming. They need to orient themselves to their new life.
Are Your Student’s Valuables Protected
Michelle Balaun2020-06-12T11:28:32-04:00One more thing to worry about, is their stuff safe? When they were at home you knew the valuables were safe, but now? 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 get when they tell you someone took their cell phone, watch, or whatever valuable item your child has had stolen.
Home Sweet Dorm This Is Home Now!
Michelle Balaun2020-09-24T16:10:46-04:00You may be surprised at how one can transition a mass-produced, industrial-looking dorm room into a warm and inviting room/suite. And there is plenty of help out there to spur ideas and help you organize.
Moving Out, It’s Time!
Michelle Balaun2020-11-11T10:13:01-05:00A lot going on at once. Moving out can be almost as hectic as moving into the dorms and apartments. You are typically assigned a move out time to keep t [...]
Care Packages
Michelle Balaun2020-07-30T14:24:33-04:00When my first child left for UM, I wavered between giving her space to find her way and wanting to hear all about her life at college. I had such a wonderful college experience myself, I toggled between exuberant excitement for her and overwhelming sadness for me.
Where the Wind Blows – Home of the Hurricane
Michelle Balaun2020-10-07T12:31:18-04:00Our Florida Hurricane Weather. Having moved to South Florida as a teen, I have gone through more than 35 Hurricane seasons. I prepared for my first majo [...]
Meal Plans at UM
Michelle Balaun2020-07-19T15:14:11-04:00A guide to all the meal plans Note: Residential dining and retail locations are expected to resume regular schedules for the fall 2020 semester. Each fa [...]