So you have a student ready to spend the next four years at FAU? That means you will undoubtedly be visiting once or twice. If you have never been to Boca Raton, you may have a preconceived idea about this city. For Seinfeld fans, you may recall that Jerry’s fictional television parents lived in a retirement community called Del Boca Vista (they even sell t-shirts with this fictional city). The novel and film adaptation, “Marley and Me” takes place in Boca Raton. The city is oftentimes referred to as New York South since so many New Yorkers live here part-time (we refer to them as snowbirds) or are now full-time residents.

Boca Raton, which actually is a misnomer for a jagged inlet, is not as populous as its Fort Lauderdale neighbor, but you would not know that from the traffic that congests the major roads no matter what time of day. Here, you will find almost every major box store, almost every chain restaurant from fast food to quick service to full service plus many newer independents, shopping malls, hotels, and grocery stores, all to enjoy in the four years.

The Next Four Years at FAU

Florida Atlantic dates back to October 1964 when President Lyndon Baines Johnson declared it officially open. The original intent was to use technology so that students could take classes wherever they were; however, that technology would not exist for another four decades. Fau was one of the first universities to offer only upper level and graduate-level work. FAU did not initially attract many students as they lacked many of the college amenities found on most campuses such as having no dormitories or dining facilities, difficulty getting to the campus and they did not actively pursue the potential students that lived in South Florida.  FAU initiated an aggressive growth plan which included the construction of an Administration Building, a Humanities Building, and six residence halls. They also introduced the nation’s first-degree program in ocean engineering which is now housed at a state-of-the-art research center in Dania Beach.

FAU’s mascot, The Owl, seemed a natural fit as the burrowing owl is a South Florida native and classified as a species of special concern by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. In 1971, the campus became an official burrowing owl sanctuary.

It was not until 1984 that freshman and sophomore classes were added to the student body. FAU continued added new campuses in South Florida including Davie, Dania Beach, Jupiter, and Port St. Lucie in addition to downtown Fort Lauderdale.  New degree programs were added in the early 1990s. Division 1 football made its debut at FAU in 2001. What lifted FAU to an even higher level was in October 2003 when Scripps Research Institute opened an operations center in Palm Beach and FAU was selected as their first university partner in Florida. It also paved the way for more partnerships, particularly in the area of biomedical research. Further research partnerships were established with the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the FAU Sea-Tech Ocean Engineering Research Center in Davie. By 2008, FAU’s enrollment increased to 27,000 students with 170 bachelors, master’s, specialists and doctoral degree programs.

Today, FAU serves over 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students with 70 percent located at the Boca Raton campus. The modern campus has a tropical vibe with its lush landscaping and architecture. The temperature is often described as mild, thanks to its vicinity to the Atlantic Ocean and the tropical breezes but summers can be extremely humid with tropical downpours that come in almost as quickly as they leave. During the winter (well South Florida’s version of winter) the temperatures can drop to the 50’s and stay in the ’70s.

FAU is considered to be a walking campus although bus service is included in the cost and is strongly recommended especially when you need to get across campus. Download FAU Mobile for a campus directory, maps, news, as well as FAU Owls sports and more.

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Welcome to Paradise as an FAU Owl Class of 2024! Now that you are accepted, you can now take that sigh of relief that a decision has been made and then take a look at our list of what to do next. First, this may sound silly, but check your admissions letter for accuracy regarding their name, entrance term, address and major. If any changes need to be made it needs to happen in writing or online at myfau.

When you applied, you would have gotten an ID number, or at FAU they are referred to as a Z-number. It can be found on your application status page. Save this number, you’ll use it for the next four years. When you were accepted, you received a computer account, or FAU Net ID, which can be found on your acceptance letter. This Net ID will be your username to access the MYFAU website. MYFAU is the main website you’ll use as a student to access everything from class information to tickets for football games. This NetID will also become your email address. With this NetID, you’ll be able to access the Owldone online resource, which is where you’ll complete each of the next steps.

You are going to want to get that $200 non-refundable deposit and form in by May 1 for summer and fall semesters and September 22 for the spring semester. Without the deposit, they won’t be able to register for the mandatory orientation, etc… This can also be done through the Owldone portal.

Then get that immunizations form completed and sent in. Registration cannot happen without this. You can download the form here.  By the way, while you are on the health services page, take note of all the amazing services they offer students. At FAU, it is not a requirement that every student has insurance. Students, regardless of their coverage, can access all of the services and programs that student health services have to offer. More information about student health services can be found here.

Be sure to confirm the following:

• Your residency status for tuition purposes
• That your student has signed up for Bright Futures
• Arranged for any final transcripts and scores (AP, IB, AICE, CLEP, and transfer credits) to be sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions
• Your Florida Prepaid program if you have one (You will need to be familiar with what you paid for with Florida Prepaid as it may only cover certain fees or dorms – although it does not preclude your student from living in certain dorms; they may just have to pay any overage fees.)
• Finally, if you have not already done so, get that FAFSA form started.

Check out the housing information. There are many options at FAU both on and off-campus. If living in a particular dorm or having a single dorm is very important to your student, don’t wait too long to send a deposit and apply for housing.

Finally, check for any holds on your student’s account. It could be the simplest thing, but there is nothing worse than going to register for classes and not being able to because of a simple thing that could have been fixed earlier. This includes making certain that a final transcript from high school (other colleges if transferring) has made its way to the FAU Office of Admissions. This must get to them in a sealed envelope. Your student and you will receive Orientation information from the Office of New Student Orientation. This is a mandatory two-day event for your student and yourself.

Check out our blogs on Housing, Meal Plans, and Orientation for many more helpful details.

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The start of college is right around the corner and many of you might be envisioning your student’s diet as burgers and pizzas and fries, oh my? Sure, we have been making meals for our kids for as long as we can remember. Before you get ready to go on a cooking frenzy, packaging and labeling items to send with them, stop. Because we assure you, college food choices have changed since many of us went to college. Today’s college campuses, in addition to offering burgers, pizza and fries, offer many healthy alternatives as well as meal plan options.

Freshman The Easy Way

For an incoming freshman who is living in the on-campus residence halls, meal plans are a requirement. My daughter lived on campus so she did sign up for the meal plan. It was a great way to meet other freshmen and learn to make healthy choices. She also had a declining balance card that gave her other meal options. With their meal plans, they can get flex bucks, which is money that they can use for on-campus restaurants. The best meal plan for on-campus residents varies per student. If they plan on eating a lot at the dining hall, there is a plan with 19 swipes per week. It does not include flex bucks and students must eat each meal in the Atlantic Dining hall. If they plan on eating outside of the dining hall for most meals, there is a plan for 7 swipes per week and 550 flex bucks. They also have a couple of meal plans between the two. Here is the link for the meal plans at FAU.

There are various meal plans available that give your student meals in the Atlantic Dining hall or Flex Bucks. Flex Bucks work like a debit account, they are loaded onto your students Owl ID card, your student can then swipe their ID card at any of the dining locations across campus other than the main Atlantic dining hall. Each Meal Plan comes with a varying amount of Flex Bucks. Flex Bucks must be used in the semester the meal plan is purchased.

The meal plans are purchased on a one-semester basis and cannot be transferred to another students. Meal plans swipes and flex bucks expire at the end of each semester.

If your student is an upperclassman or a commuter student, Owl Bucks are a great option. Owl Bucks work like a debit card, it is a declining balance, and is tied to your student’s Owl ID card. This is perhaps the most flexible account for dining as you may deposit funds at any time, it is accepted at various places around campus, there is no minimum balance to maintain and the balance carries forward until you graduate or leave school. Owl Bucks can be used at any of these on-campus locations: Starbucks, the Atlantic dining hall, FAU pharmacy, Campus Bookstore, Outtakes Convenience store, Chick-Fil-a, Dunkin’s Donuts, Pollo Tropical, Subway,Pop-up Food Truck, and all restaurants in the Breezeway Café (Pizza Hut, Einstein Bagels, Wendy’s, and Jow jing. Coming soon.. Panda Express and Maoz Vegetarian). Commuter students can also choose to purchase a meal plan that may be used in the Atlantic Dining Hall cafeteria. Check out their specials here. The least expensive plan is 30 meals (swipes) for $247.27 (that is about $8.24 per swipe). The larger the meal plan you purchase, the lower the per swipe cost is.

Before you buy gift cards to individual restaurants on campus, be aware that they do not accept them on campus.

The choice you make should entail a conversation between you and your student. We would recommend you familiarize yourself with how each program works.  Go to FAU dining services to learn more and make certain you read the contract terms and conditions.

More Options

If your student is adamantly opposed to signing up for a meal plan, they can head to any of the grocery stores by bus or car to purchase the food they need/want (see our blog on grocery stores) or choose amongst the many, many restaurants around town.

If cooking on their own works best for your student, rest assured most dorms have room for a small refrigerator and some do allow for microwaves (under 1500 watts). Many of the dorms also have a communal kitchen- but you will have to bring your own pots and pans.

If the meal plan or cooking for themselves is not working for them, while maybe not the healthiest option, students today can get almost any type of meal delivered directly to their dorms. Check out our Delivery blog to see all the companies that deliver food.

If your student happens to keep kosher, Hillel and Chabad do not offer a Kosher meal plan but there are a few restaurants in town that are Kosher (as well several kosher markets including Grove Kosher Market, Aroma Market, and Winn Dixie). The kosher restaurants are:

Mozart Cafe: located 7300 W Camino Real, Boca Raton FL. This restaurant offers small bites and kosher breakfast food with outside seating that is great for students who want to grab a bite to eat and study at the same time.

Boca Grill: located 8903 Glades road G9, Boca Raton FL. Super close to campus especially since it is located on Glades. It has great reviews for the food and the service.

Chill & Grill Pita: located 7158 N Beracasa Way, Boca Raton, FL 33433. This place is great because it’s almost like a chipotle for kosher food. It is not expensive and the service is great as well. It’s a good place for quick kosher food on the go.

Ditmas Kitchen & Sushi: 21077 Powerline Road, Boca Raton, FL 33433 Talk about a wide variety! This restaurant is sure to be a crowd pleaser, their menu has something for everyone.

Pita ‘N Go: located 22767 SR 7, Boca Raton, FL 33428. This place has a similar vibe as chill and grill pita, it’s quick kosher food on the go. This place has great reviews talking about the quality of the meat and the quickness of the service. On the flip side, some say their prices are a little high.

A Different Type of University Meal Plan

There is a whole new type of meal service that is becoming popular with students who can’t cook, don’t want to cook, don’t want to buy groceries and are looking for an easier, and healthier meal plan.  Known as the meal kit industry, the premise is that they deliver pre-portioned, packaged meals delivered weekly right to your student’s door. Make sure you check out our blog on A College Student’s Guide to Meal Kits. Our interns tested out Blue Apron, Plated, Chef’d (Spoon University) and Hello Fresh.

Of course, you can always send them some of your home-cooked meals!

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Don’t be alarmed on move-in day when you walk into your student’s bare and cold dorm room. It’s amazing how quickly this space can change with a little planning and some trips to Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, and Walmart.

The key to transforming the dorm space into something a little homier is preplanning. Pinterest alone has enough ideas to make your head spin. Of course, decorating for a girl’s room is drastically different from a boy, but both will need a little extra organization. Either way, check the size bed their dorm will provide. FAU’S freshman Resident halls (Heritage Park, Glades Park, and Parliament hall) offer twin extra long beds. The beds in Parliament hall are lofted with the desk underneath, Keep this in mind before purchasing bed risers or organization items. The remainder of the Resident halls (upperclassmen) all have twin extra long beds as well, with the exception of Innovation Village. The rooms in Innovation Village have double beds.

Over the summer, the stores’ shelves will begin to fill up with sections specifically for college dorm life. Here you will be able to easily find many organizational options and sheet sets in twin extra long.  The bed-in-a-bag can be a great choice as it provides many pieces at once. In addition, we highly recommend a mattress encasement. It protects from bugs, allergies, and who knows what else. A mattress topper is a must; the beds can be rather thin. The topper will make the place they spend much of their time more comfortable.

Consider buying bed risers as they can give students extra storage space under their bed. Remember, if your student’s dorm is Parliament hall, these beds are already lofted. Some kids like to put a mini-fridge under there too. The freshman dorms at FAU do not provide mini-fridges, however, students are permitted to bring them. Check out TECH-U in the student union, they offer mini-fridge and microwave rentals. The plastic container drawers are super popular in the dorms. They fit under the beds and have a lot of storage. Recently we came across Dorm Room Bed Skirt Panels which are long and can cover all the junk that ends up getting stored below the bed.

It’s Fun!

There are fun ottomans that provide both storage and extra seating space for when their friends come to hang out. Students usually have space for a comfortable chair. There are clever little shelves that attach to the side of the bed that are rather useful to hold their phone, glasses, drinks, etc.

Most girls really like to fully decorate the space. My daughter and her friends went Pinterest crazy over the summer, but it really turned their dorms into a comfortable and inviting space. If possible suggest they check with their roommate before you begin your multiple trips to Bed, Bath and Beyond, etc. (Did I mention that you should start collecting those coupons now?) Together they may decide on specific colors or a theme. Another great place to get ideas (and shop) is Tapestry Girls, a one-stop-shop for small space decorating and inspiration designed for fashion and budget-minded. Visit Tapestry Girls today and use code HAVEUHEARD at checkout for an additional $5 off any order.

Lately, covering the walls in big tapestries is the rage. It is actually a great idea to bring some color into the room.  You cannot put any holes in the walls, this also makes it difficult to hang things, but no worries; because Command hooks have you covered. HaveUHeard that you need to apply rubbing alcohol first before hanging the command strip or it won’t adhere? Area rugs also warm up a room and bring in some color, particularly since the floors are all cold tile. If they know their roommate’s name, a custom dorm room sign is a great way to make them feel at home.

Another popular item is string lights. You’ll want to buy a tension rod and a curtain for the closet. The closets in the dorms do not have doors, so a curtain is a great substitute door to hide clothes, shoes, or any disorganization that may occur there. The curtain on the closet can also be another great way to bring some color into the dorm.

FAU offers virtual tours of their on-campus dorms; you can find a video of the residence halls. There are different kinds of dorms throughout campus ranging from suite to corridor to apartment-style.  When you find out which dorm your student will be living in, you can check out the floor plans as well as get an idea of what FAU Housing supplies.

The Guys Too!

I haven’t forgotten our sons; there just isn’t as much to say. Basically, they will need the same essentials, but as far as décor goes, most boys are happy with a poster or two and possibly a flag or banner. Owl paraphernalia is usually a hit too. The best advice that was given to me was to start shopping early. Your student will have the most options to choose from and you’ll be able to get everything you need. Another great tip is to order from your local store and have the items available for pick up when you arrive in Boca Raton.

Don’t forget the cleaning supplies. While we’d like to say our students will keep their space clean, at least if we give them supplies, we may have a fighting chance. For our complete list of the top items they need for college. And, if you want to get an idea of what each dorm is like, make sure you check out our Insider’s Guide to Campus Dorm Living.

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Get Your Hand Trucks Ready to Move!

Because it’s move-in day. From the day your student gets their room assignment, the whole process of move-in can seem stressful, overwhelming, and expensive (start collecting those Bed Bath & Beyond Coupons now) Traditionally, female students tend to take a full-on decorating approach complete with wall décor, signs, picture frames, string lights, desk accessories, and many other decorative items. Male students do not quite go that full in and often just want a comfortable bed, maybe a poster or two and perhaps a rug. Either way, the prospect of making a cold dorm room into a home seems like an arduous task.  According to the National Retail Federation, back to college spending averaged $1330 in 2018. This is big business with college checklists resembling the lists usually reserved for wedding/bridal registries and baby shower registries. And while I won’t sugarcoat the day, a little pre-planning can help alleviate some of the stress of the day.

13 Tips for an Easier Move-in Day

• Bring a Hand truck. Fau does have a few available, however, there is not enough for every family to have one. The entire process of moving your student into the dorm during the heat of August will be quicker and easier with the use of a hand truck. Personally, I bought this folding hand truck and left it with my daughter so she could use it during the year and move out (yes, both of my daughters moved out on their own)
• In the Freshman Dorms, students have Twin XL beds. These beds probably aren’t what they are used to at home. To bring in some of the comforts of home, purchase a mattress cover and mattress topper. These are available at Target, Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond; just to name a few. This is a great item to order ahead and have ready for pick up when your student arrives in Boca Raton.
• Your student is going to need sheets. I bought my daughter two sets to start with when she went off to FAU. This made it easier for her when it came time for laundry, there was always a clean set ready to go.
• Comforters or some type of a heavy blanket (or two) are a must. The dorms are kept rather chilly. Some of the newer residence halls do have in-suite thermostats, but this is not always the case. The easiest option is to go with a bed-in-a-bag set. These sets typically give students the comforter, a sheet set, and decorative pillows.
• Many students like the convenience of having a mini-fridge in their room. It is also a great resource for students who try to stay on a budget or eat healthier. FAU offers Mini-Fridge rentals from the on-campus store Tech-U.
• A small microwave is also a useful item for students to have in their rooms. Microwaves can also be rented from Tech-U or purchased and picked up from many stores around FAU.
• Keurig coffee makers can be very convenient, but definitely a more expensive, way to have coffee. There are countless Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts on campus and close by but having your students make their own is often more economical. Stores also often sell small 4 cup coffee pots, another great option for the dorms.
• If your student is like mine, there just is not enough closet and drawer space to accommodate all of her clothes/shoes/dry goods/toiletries/medicines, etc. That is where the under-the-bed plastic drawer system comes in handy. The problem you may face is availability. Either bring them with you if your vehicle space allows or order ahead of time.
• Bed risers will help to give your students dorm room some much needed extra space. Bed Risers lift up the bed; storage units or drawer sets can then be placed underneath the bed. Keep in mind if your student lives in Parliament Hall, their beds will already be lofted.
• Most of the dorms have closets inside each of the rooms. Not all of these closets have doors; you’ll need to purchase a tension rod and curtain.
• If your college student is planning on having a television in their room, you will need a coaxial cable. Extension cords are also a much-needed item. We would recommend using one that is both double and triple-pronged.
• Irons are not permitted inside FAU dorms. To save on space and avoid breaking a rule, consider buying a mini hand steamer. They work just as well as a traditional iron.
• For the day you are moving in, many parents have found that the Ikea bags (or something comparable) work really well. You can find many of them on Amazon.

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FAU’s move-in day is …well…a lot of work. Be prepared for many trips to the car and possibly one or two to the store for the inevitable forgotten or overlooked item (ours was not having enough Command hooks last year).  The heat does not help, but a hand truck and Ikea bags do. I will not get into the emotional goodbyes at the end of the day, but I will say that large sunglasses to cover my watery, red eyes (and having to wait another 8 years for my youngest to move out) was my savior.

M.I.D. is August 15th

The day this year begins on Thursday, August 15th for incoming freshmen. Your student will get an appointment as to their move-in time-based on their dorm number. This is based on the students’ first letter of their last name.

• A – F moves in from 8 am – 10 am
• G – L moves in from 10 am – 12 noon
• M – R moves in from 12 noon – 2 pm
• S – Z moves in from 2 pm – 4 pm

Friday, August 16 is move-in day for returning students, transfer students, and graduate students.

• Students assigned to EVEN number floors may move in from 8 am-noon
• Students assigned to ODD number floors may move in from 1 pm – 4 pm

Many of the dorms will have floor meetings with their R.A. as well as a few events so the residents can have the opportunity to meet one another. More information about Move-in Day times and guidelines. Early Move-in is an option for students participating in Residential Learning Communities. That day is August 16th. After they arrive, they will spend the day in a retreat, which will allow them to meet others in their learning community and orient themselves with the campus.

One of the best parts of the day is the volunteers. There are volunteers walking around to offer assistance. Student volunteers belong to many of the organizations across campus and are there to not only help students move-in but also answer questions about campus life. These volunteers typically have carts and will assist with unloading cars, moving items, giving directions, providing refreshments and other move-in related tasks, and providing information about getting involved on campus.

From August 14th-18th, FAU holds a program called HOW2FAU. HOW2FAU gives students their first introduction to campus life and different organizations are there to answer questions. Students can also learn about the many resources across campus that aid in their success. On August 18th, FAU holds the annual Freshman Convocation. Freshman Convocation is a freshman’s official welcome to Florida Atlantic University. Freshmen who attend receive a blue and silver graduation cord, one that can be worn if a student remains at FAU for all 4 years of college. More information about Freshman Convocation.

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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 thought about the fact that parking at FAU can be pretty inconvenient and tends to be a problem every year. There are not enough parking spots for as many students live on or drive to campus.

For those that do have cars, parking permits, are required for all vehicles. At FAU, there are 3 color distinctions given to each parking lot: Blue, Red, and Green. The Blue lots are reserved for Commuter students. Green lots are reserved for residential students and red is reserved for faculty and staff. Students must register their vehicles online to obtain an EPermit. This is FAU’s new system that uses a student’s license plate to grant virtual parking decals.  If you are in need of a permit. Students can pay a Transportation Access Fee along with their tuition to receive their permit. Their vehicle must be registered and associated with the virtual permit in order to park in student spaces.

It sounds simple enough, but somehow students occasionally get in trouble and unpaid parking violations can result in towing, booting, or the delay of registration for a new semester. You will need your FAU net Id and password. You can also go to the Parking and Transportation office in Student Services Building 80.

Picture these scenarios:
They come home late and just want to park near their dorm, so they park in Lot 23 and promise themselves that they will get up early and move the car before 7:00 am. In theory, it is a great idea, because they have so much to do the next day and they can take a nap later. Their intentions are good, but they hit snooze too many times and by the time they get to move the car, the ticket is flapping in the breeze.

They are rushing to campus from their apartment (or sometimes from one side of campus to the other) and although they planned to leave early that morning, their blow dryer wasn’t cooperating and now they must rush. When they get to campus there are no spots available near their class and if they go to the other lots they will be really late, so maybe just this one time they won’t get ticketed. Besides, which is worse, walking in late again or a parking ticket? They loan their roommate/sorority sister/fraternity brother/friend from down the hall, their car, and because the said friend doesn’t own a car, they are unaware of the parking situation on campus and park it someplace they believe is safe, but they are unknowingly wrong. Your student won’t realize this until the next time they go to use their car and by then there are five tickets; one for each day the car was parked in an unauthorized spot.

Note: Do not park your car in reverse under any circumstance; this will result in a citation. Fellow Parents, when you visit there are options and rules regarding parking for us too. There are a few visitor parking lots located around campus: The Alumni Center (lot 7), Student Support Services (lot 18), The Library (lot 19), Administration Circle, and the Palm Beach Plaza. All the Visitor lots have metered parking for $2.00 per hour.

For commuters who have morning classes, there is a lot of traffic getting on campus and a parking spot. Maybe consider going extra early to nab that spot near your class. Worried about losing sleep? Catch some zzz’s in your car before class starts. If you get there when everyone else does, you could always follow people in the parking lot or garage as they walk to their car; sounds a little creepy but if you are patient, you may grab that coveted spot.

Visitor Permits can be purchased for a daily rate of $5.00, Weekly rate of $15.00, or Monthly rate of $30.00. With the lack of parking, students may want to consider using the Red and Blue Shuttle bus, which runs throughout campus and is free. Event parking differs a bit too. Information on event parking. It is not uncommon for students who live near the stadium to have to move their cars prior to game day.

Parking citations at FAU are $25.00 so many students do not think of it as a big deal. Students can try to appeal their citations but only very few have successfully done it. Also, FAU doesn’t do parking enforcement on the weekend, so on the weekend, they can park at the red lot in front of Living Room Theaters to park a little closer than normal (if they live in GPT, HPT, or IRT). If we have thoroughly confused you, we apologize, but we did start by saying parking tends to be a problem at FAU. Our advice; get a bicycle or check out other transportation options.

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Finding the ideal roommate(s) can be tough and a hassle. I’m here to tell you a couple of ways to make that process easier. Being an incoming freshman is a stressful time with a lot of different things to worry about. While you might find yourself scrambling to get everything done, you do not want to rush picking your future roommate.

One easy way to find a lot of different possible roommate options is to join the official class page for your graduation year. For example, I joined the FAU Official Class of 2020 page on Facebook. The Facebook page is a great way to find people that you gel with. Once on the page, I uploaded a couple of my favorite pictures of myself, and a short description of me and what I was looking for in a roommate. This is a great way to find someone who has similar interests as you, as they will then like or comment on your post if they think they would be a good fit as your roommate. I also recommend you do the same, and browse the page looking through other posts as you may stumble upon someone you like that you already know, or someone new! Some of my friends have met their best friends (that they are still friends with) from making a post in the Facebook class page, starting up a conversation, and then becoming roommates.

Another great way to find a roommate is from mutual friends. You would be surprised what a small world it is. While I did not personally find my roommate this way, many of my friends did. A good way to do this is to reach out to your friends and ask if they know anybody who is going to FAU. They could have friends from their high schools going there, family members, or camp friends who are going to FAU or know someone who is going. The great thing about finding a roommate this way is that you know they will be a good fit. If your future roommate is friends with one of your friends, you know they will be an awesome match because you mesh well with the same people.

In addition, if you want to try something exciting and spontaneous, you could do a random roommate. For as many people who have horror stories of their random freshman year roommate, there are the same amount of people who turned out to have a great experience. Sometimes people create the best memories with someone they barely know. While it is a risk, it could turn out to be the best leap of faith you ever took. Besides, college is the time to try new things and step out of your comfort zone, why not start off with a random roommate?

I am a sophomore transfer student at FAU, so while I didn’t do a random roommate for my freshman year, when I moved into Upark this year I got three random roommates. Upark has you take a personality test with questions about yourself and your habits. While we all aren’t necessarily friends, we coexist well and I enjoy living with them. Sometimes we have our differences, but they always get worked out quickly. Next year I am getting three new random roommates, and I am looking forward to the experience.

Overall, my advice to you is to describe what you are actually interested in and your priorities, that way you can find someone most suitable for you, not the façade you put on. You can tell a lot about a person by who they surround themselves with, and what is important to them in their lives, so keep that in mind when you’re lurking their social media. And finally, don’t stress too much about the process, even the “perfect” roommate has their faults, living with someone new in a dorm is an adjustment period for everyone.

I wish you the best of luck in this endeavor. Happy roommate hunting!

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Congratulations! You have a new Owl in your house, but what do you do now? One of the first steps after your student opens their acceptance package should be to pull out your calendar and book an Orientation weekend. Orientation isn’t just for your student; FAU offers breakout sessions that offer a plethora of information to new FAU parents.

Listen attentively; no need to take notes. When my daughter attended, we were given a folder with all the information presented over the weekend. It can be very overwhelming. Go on the tour of the campus. Eat with your student at the Atlantic Dining Hall. They will have their first experience being assigned to share a room in the dorm with someone they do not know.  FAU did provide some bedding when my daughter spent the night, however you may want to bring along some comforts of home. They will participate in events just for this incoming class. This will also be your Student’s first introduction to FAUs freshman registration, known as OARs. OARs is a step-by-step guide on how to remove all the holds on their account and register for classes; they will give an in-depth presentation at orientation. There is plenty of FAU staff available to answer any questions.

More Orientation Suggestions

Meal Plan: It is during this orientation that you will register for a meal plan. More information on the meal plan options can be found here.

Registering Vehicles – I would recommend that if you decide your student is bringing a car or bike, register online or head over to the transportation and parking office. If you wait until the move-in time, prepare for very long lines. You can order your decal by clicking here.

Banking – FAU’s official banking partner is BB&T. BB&T offers free basic checking accounts with no monthly fees, no minimum balances, or ATM fees at any of the branches on campus. This also applies to nationwide branches of BB&T. These checking accounts are linked directly to your student’s FAU Owl card. Financial aid disbursements can also be disbursed into these BB&T accounts. For out-of-state students, it makes a lot of sense to have a Florida bank checking account. If you are unsure, wait until you head home and you can always open one at your local branch.

And, of course, head over to the campus bookstore or an area retail store and start stocking up on Owl apparel- You are about to spend your student’s next four years growing to love Florida Atlantic University.

How to Dress –  Summertime in Boca Raton can be described with two words; Hot and Humid. It can also start raining out of nowhere, so make sure to take along an umbrella and dress casually. It can get chilly in the Barry Kaye Auditorium and the Student Union, so it’s also a good idea to take along a jacket.  Don’t forget your sunglasses, perhaps a hat (did we mention how hot it can get); some sunblock does not hurt either.

Inside the Student Union, there are Outtakes, the on-campus convenience store, where you can grab a snack. Starbucks is about a 5-minute walk from the Union.

What to Bring

Your student will want to bring comfortable clothes, a pillow, sheets, a bath towel, shower shoes and a blanket, a jacket or sweater and, of course, their toiletries. Many of the girls bring duffles to hold all of their belongings. I remember getting my daughters a Vera Bradley duffle because that’s what college girls use. They still use it to this day for weekend trips or trips home when they do not need to bring a suitcase.

Freshman!

For incoming freshmen, FAU holds a mandatory orientation starting in June and going through August. The typical FAU orientation lasts for about 2 days (there are some exceptions).  FAU freshman orientation costs $104 for a student; this fee includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you would like to attend with your child, there is an additional $70 fee.

Wondering about College level exam scores and University Course equivalents? Check out the equivalency for AICE, AP, CLEP, DSST, CAPE, and IB.

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Unprecedented doesn’t even begin to describe what the past few months have been like during this COVID pandemic. We may have had to change our daily way of life these past few months, but one thing we know for certain, classes are in session! Classes may look a little different this year however the fall semester will begin before we know it and it is important that we stay up to date on the latest plans and procedures at FAU.

At present, FAU will remain online throughout the rest of the summer while administrators are communicating with government officials about necessary safety measures and health protocols for the return to campus. Updates change, well, frankly, like the wind, but here are some important parts. On-campus COVID-19 testing is available and encouraged. Students can sign up for COVID testing and their results online. For those students that test positive or have been in contact with an individual who tests positive, students will be provided housing for a 14-day quarantine. Off-campus students will isolate themselves in their apartments/houses. The following numbers may be useful:

• General COVID questions can be sent to FAUCOVID19@fau.edu.
• Department of Health COVID Call Center: 866-404-6300, available 8 am to 5 pm
• Florida Department of Health COVID-19 Call Center: 866-779-6121
• Additional community resources.

Let’s talk facemasks…. just wear it. FAU is requiring all students, faculty, staff, and visitors to wear face masks while on campus. This is required at all FAU campus locations. You can find more information on facemask requirements and proper sanitation on Page 10 of the COVID-19 Reopening plan. Some have even turned their facemasks into a fashion statement. It might feel more comfortable to wear something fashionable, so get something fun and machine washable.

There is no doubt that the fall semester will look different starting with the new safety measures FAU has put in place. Students will still be able to participate in organizations, clubs, events, and activities –most virtually and others in-person, and probably outdoors, using proper social distancing. Indoor fitness will be limited in capacity, but there will be virtual fitness options offered as well. As for football and tailgating…. well, it isn’t looking very good, but no decisions have been made yet.

Housing has reduced occupancy at 96%, implemented space and amenity restrictions, and increased cleaning and disinfecting. At the Boca Raton Campus, there will be 112 beds reserved for self- isolation, if needed. Fall courses are a mix of in-classroom, hybrid and online; select courses and labs, and experiential courses will be face-to-face; however, no face-to-face classes will take place after Thanksgiving. Any classes that do take place in classrooms will only have 25% capacity to limit the number of students, faculty, and assistants at any given time. Entry to buildings will be regulated and monitored. Academic advising and support services for students will be available both face-to-face and remotely; intercollegiate athletics, including practices and competitions, will continue and follow NCAA and ACC requirements; and services such as parking, student recreation, student health, and student activities will be available.

Fraternity and sorority life will be quite different, but it will still exist. Recruitment will still happen, with some parts done virtually and others with the option to be in person.

You may want to check out some of our other blogs to help get you through these unprecedented times.

• How to Succeed in Online and Virtual Classes
• Online Test Taking
• Should my Student Go Back to School This Fall?
• Want to Get Back the Security Deposit
• Dealing With Uncertainty
• Creating Work and Study Home Space

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