Don’t see what you’re looking for? Visit the FAQs page for answers to commonly asked questions.
Checklists
For a complete list of all the things you need to do before Blazer Beginnings and before enrolling at UAB, visit the Checklists page.
What to Bring
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Make sure you pack the right stuff. Check the following off your list before you leave home:
- Register for classes before attending Blazer Beginnings! Complete the pre-orientation checklist to register for classes and fulfill your orientation requirement.
- Memorize your BlazerID and password. This will help you register for the appropriate class times if you did not already fully register for classes before attending.
- Bring a photo ID to obtain your ONE Card, your official UAB student ID!
- Eat breakfast before your arrive! Lunch (or dinner for evening sessions) will be provided for all orientation dates. Coffee and hot tea will be available in the morning for summer/fall freshman dates only.
- Wear comfortable clothes and shoes – jeans or shorts are fine! You’ll be walking a lot and maybe even sitting on the floor, so dress to be comfortable in any situation. It’s a good idea to dress in layers so you’ll be comfortable inside or outside.
- Pack an umbrella and rain gear, just in case.
- Bring a refillable water bottle so you can use UAB’s water refill stations to stay hydrated all day long.
- Bring your practice schedule if you are a varsity athlete or belong to any organization with mandatory practices (get this information from your coach or organization sponsor prior to orientation. This will help you register for the appropriate class times if you did not already fully register for classes before attending.
- If you’re staying overnight on campus, linens, pillows, and towels are provided. Bring your own toiletries and personal items. These accommodations are available for Summer or Fall Freshmen on-campus sessions only.
- Request accommodations if needed during orientation (special dietary needs, alternative format of materials, sign-language interpreter, etc.) by contacting the New Student Programs office at
blazerbeginnings@uab.edu or at 205-975-7999 no less than 2 weeks prior to your scheduled orientation date.
* While we welcome parents and adult guardians, attending orientation with family members younger than 16 is strongly discouraged. Please make alternative arrangements for younger siblings or children under 16 while you are attending Blazer Beginnings.
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Even though you’re doing orientation at home, you still need to have the right stuff:
- Secure a private location where you can close the door and focus on orientation programming. You will be expected to unmute at times and to share your video. You will not be able to fully participate from the car or from work – schedule your orientation date so it does not conflict with other commitments.
- Get the links for your orientation-day Zoom meetings – they’ll be emailed to you 7 days before your orientation date.
- For a better view, use a larger screen (like a desktop or laptop) to access the live Zoom sessions. If you don’t have that available, you can still fully participate on a smart phone or tablet.
- Memorize your BlazerID and password. This will help you register for the appropriate class times if you did not already fully register for classes before attending.
- Have a cute (but photo ID appropriate) photo ready to submit for your ONE Card.
- Wear comfortable clothes – but maybe not your pajamas (your video will be on so all your classmates can see you!).
- Bring your practice schedule if you are a varsity athlete or belong to any organization with mandatory practices (get this information from your coach or organization sponsor prior to orientation. This will help you register for the appropriate class times if you did not already fully register for classes before attending.
Directions & Parking
If you are attending an on-campus orientation session, please follow the below directions to visit campus.
Parking
Please note: If you are a traditional freshman staying in on-campus housing for Blazer Beginnings, you may park in the 16th Street Parking Deck close to your overnight accommodations. Get more information on the on-campus accommodations page.
Parking on orientation days is available in the 12th Street Parking Deck (attached to the University Boulevard Office Building and across from the Young Memorial Baseball Field). For GPS directions, use the address 1201 University Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35233. Parking in any other deck or lot may result in a parking fee or ticket.
- Free orientation parking is only available on the upper floors of the 12th Street Parking Deck. Parking on the first floor is not allowed.
- If you choose to park in the flat lot next to the Hill Student Center, you will have to pay an hourly rate to exit the lot.
- Orientation guests are not permitted to park in any “Campus Visitor” spot in any flat lot or deck on campus. Violations are subject to ticketing.
Walk one block east (away from I-65) to check in for Blazer Beginnings in the Hill Student Center, located at 1400 University Blvd. on the corner of University Blvd. and 14th Street South.
If you have an ADA accessible parking tag, contact us at
Directions
Make your way onto University Boulevard.
- If traveling from the south on I-65N, take exit 259 for University Boulevard, take a right on University Blvd, travel two blocks and take a right on 12th Street South.
- If traveling from the north on I-65S, take exit 259B for 4th Avenue South, travel three blocks and take a right on 13th Street South, in 4 blocks turn right onto University Boulevard, then turn left onto 12th street south.
- If traveling from the Birmingham Airport, I-20/59, or Hwy 31/Hwy 280, take the University Boulevard exit and take a right on University Blvd. Travel 11 blocks then turn left onto 12th Street South.
Turn left into the parking deck on 12th Street South.
Hotel Accommodations
A variety of hotel accommodations are available near UAB.
If you are a Summer or Fall term freshman and have made an on-campus housing reservation, visit our on-campus accommodations page.
Pro Tips for Freshmen
- Wear comfy clothes and shoes. You’ll be walking around campus and possibly sitting on the floor too.
- Participate in the housing tours so you can know exactly what you’ll need to bring to feel at home in the fall.
- Submit your ONE Card photo ahead of time. Check out the rules before you submit your photo.
- Ask all of your questions. There will be more than 100 staff members there to help you, and we are confident that one of them will have the answer.
- Make sure to get all of your essentials out of your mom’s purse. After the welcome, students and family members will follow separate tracks during orientation.
- Challenge yourself to make connections. Who knows? You might find your future roommate, study group partner, or best friend.
- Don’t forget to pack your rain jacket. Nobody likes a wet orientation packet.
- Talk to at least 5 tables at the Expo – it’ll be nice to have some groups to get plugged into when you get here.
- Don’t stress about class registration. Whether you get your get entire course schedule before Blazer Beginnings or you’re still adjusting your schedule on your orientation day, your academic advisor will be there to help guide you through the process. If you have any questions you can always refer back to the pre-orientation Canvas course!
- Get to know the Orientation Leaders who will be welcoming you at Blazer Beginnings.