The First Few Weeks
Michelle Balaun2018-08-21T15:27:56+00:00We 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 [...]
Parking at The U
Michelle Balaun2018-08-05T11:26:56+00:00Getting 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 rea [...]
Happy Birthday Care Packages
Michelle Balaun2018-08-05T11:26:56+00:00Blow Out The Candles! When their birthday rolls around, it can be just one more reminder that you won’t be celebrating together so putting together a ca [...]
Technology Needs for UM Students
Michelle Balaun2018-08-05T11:26:56+00:00Here Is What You Get Free! The vision of University of Miami's Information Technology (UMIT) department is to be the best information technology organiz [...]
It’s All About the Delivery
Michelle Balaun2018-08-05T11:26:56+00:00There's A Knock At The Door! Whether students just want to take a break from the dining hall or if parents want to send their students food or birthday [...]
An Insider’s Guide to Living on Campus
Michelle Balaun2018-08-05T11:26:57+00:00Here's How to Manage Your U-Miami Living At the University of Miami, with on-campus housing, what you see is what you get. Students are only required to [...]
Where Will They Live- Managing the Gap
Michelle Balaun2018-08-05T11:26:57+00:00Manage That Weird In-Between Time. Although it feels like you just moved your students into their dorms, you now have to move them out. The worst part, [...]
I’m Not Your Maid: Cleaning Services
Michelle Balaun2018-08-05T11:26:57+00:00It Might Be The Best Solution... I never thought I would be saying this, but sometimes it is a good idea to hire a cleaning service for your students’ a [...]
Exam Care Packages
Michelle Balaun2018-10-05T15:51:52+00:00Midterm and final exams can be some of the biggest stressors for your student. I typically do not get to speak to my daughter during exam weeks.
New Housing
Michelle Balaun2018-08-05T11:26:58+00:00Updated Living Environments Coming To UM. Have you seen the housing? Freshman housing is the one area that most students can agree on, needs improvement [...]
Moving In?
Michelle Balaun2018-08-05T11:26:58+00:00Once 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 Balaun2018-08-05T11:26:59+00:00Learning 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 [...]
Working While in College
Michelle Balaun2018-08-05T11:26:59+00:00Gotta Earn Some Cash? Some students have to work to pay for college, some consider their school-work their only job and others choose to work while at s [...]
What Not to Bring, Nope You Don’t Need That!
Michelle Balaun2018-08-05T11:27:00+00:00Read 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 cloth [...]
Best Spots On Campus To Study
Michelle Balaun2018-09-04T13:54:47+00:00Just 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.
Getting There – All the Transportation Options
Michelle Balaun2018-08-05T11:27:00+00:00The First Time Getting There... That first time you drop your student off at a college, you will probably want to go with them and get them settled. Man [...]
Sorority Girl
Michelle Balaun2018-08-05T11:27:01+00:00Congratulations if your daughter has found a place to call home. Being in a sorority opens the door to so many wonderful experiences. My daughter made some of her greatest friends when she was in a sorority at The University of Miami.
Orient Yourself – Find Your Own Way
Michelle Balaun2018-08-05T11:27:01+00:00If 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 Balaun2018-08-05T11:27:02+00:00One 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
Michelle Balaun2018-08-23T15:31:54+00:00You 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
Michelle Balaun2018-08-05T11:27:02+00:00A 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 [...]
Off-Campus Living Economical to Extravagant
Michelle Balaun2018-08-05T11:27:02+00:00It is a lot different than being in a dorm! Living off-campus has its own challenges, here are some suggestions. Just a few months in from your freshma [...]
Pets
Michelle Balaun2018-08-05T11:46:58+00:00Just like a baby... I cannot begin to tell you how many times my kids have called from college once they were living off campus saying they want to buy [...]
Get Involved – Join a Club
Michelle Balaun2018-08-05T11:27:03+00:00Join to Enrich The way to feel more included is to join one of the many groups and organizations. The beauty of the University of Miami is that there ar [...]
Care Packages
Michelle Balaun2018-09-04T13:50:06+00:00When 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.
Rushing Her Way…
Michelle Balaun2018-10-15T11:40:04+00:00To Sorority or Not? Is Rush The Way? For parents of incoming freshman, you are probably starting to hear whispers about sorority rush. The way rush is [...]
Where the Wind Blows – Home of the Hurricane
Michelle Balaun2018-08-05T11:27:04+00:00Our Florida Weather. Having moved to South Florida as a teen, I have gone through more than 35 Hurricane seasons. I prepared for my first major Hurrican [...]
Meal Plans at UM
Michelle Balaun2018-08-05T11:27:05+00:00A guide to all the plans. The start of college is right around the corner and many of you might be envisioning your student’s diet as burgers and pizzas [...]
Retail Therapy, Lots of Shopping in Miami
Michelle Balaun2018-09-04T13:57:13+00:00This Means Plenty of Retail Therapy! There is plenty of shopping in Miami – may be too much – and although your student is up there for school, there is [...]