by Jawana Kamal (Intern, Student Affairs Marketing and Communications)

This fall, UAB Off-Campus Student & Family Engagement brought back the popular exam “survival” kits for families to purchase for their students. Each exam kit comes with a variety of snacks and fun items, like chips, popcorn, fidget toys, and stress-relieving activities. Most importantly, they include a personalized message from home to encourage students as they enter finals week.

Meredith Kahl, director of UAB Off-Campus Student & Family Engagement, said, “The kits are a way for students to know that they’re not in this alone. Going into a time frame that can be stressful and overwhelming, knowing that there is support and love from home, I think will help give them a moment to just take a breath and reset.” This year’s items come in a clear drawstring pack with the new UAB logo, including a UAB branded reusable utensil set that Kahl thinks students will particularly enjoy.

All 300 survival kits were purchased by UAB parents and families and gifted for both on-campus and off-campus students. A portion of the proceeds go toward supporting UAB’s Little Blazer Wishes program, which received around $4,100 from the exam packs alone.

Pickup for on-campus students began at the McMahon Hall Residence Life Office at 10 a.m. on Dec. 4th. One student described that his exam kit is “motivation, knowing that after all my exams are done, I can see my family again.” Another student said that receiving an exam kit makes her “feel special. My family is so sweet, and I miss them. I haven’t seen them in forever, so this makes me so happy,” she said.

To learn more about UAB Off-Campus Student & Family Engagement programs, visit their website or follow them on Instagram @uaboffcampus.