Parent/Family Member

Parent & Family Orientation will be offered as live tracks during Blazer Beginnings.

• For freshmen attending a summer/fall orientation date, one family member is included with payment of the Freshman Enrollment Deposit and any additional family members may join for a $35 fee to cover the cost of meals and staffing.
• For freshmen attending a Spring orientation date, you should click on the “Transfer/Non-Traditional Freshman” tab on this page for details.

All family members have access to pre-recorded videos free of charge in a specially designed course in Canvas, UAB’s learning management system. Click the link below to get started!

Dates

Honors College— Summer/Fall Honors Freshmen Only

Students must formally accept their Honors College offer in order to make a reservation for an Honors College orientation date. Please note that each of these dates includes a mandatory honors session the evening of the first day of orientation. This will include honors advising and information as well as an honors family dinner with faculty, staff, and current students.

• Tuesday and Wednesday, June 2-3, 2026
• Thursday and Friday, June 4-5, 2026
• Tuesday and Wednesday, June 9-10, 2026

Summer/Fall Freshmen

• Wednesday and Thursday, May 27-28, 2026

Fall Freshmen

• Thursday and Friday, June 11-12, 2026
• Monday and Tuesday, June 15-16, 2026
• Wednesday and Thursday, June 17-18, 2026
• Tuesday and Wednesday, June 23-24, 2026
• Thursday and Friday, June 25-26, 2026
• Tuesday and Wednesday, July 14-15, 2026
• Thursday and Friday, July 16-17, 2026
• Wednesday and Thursday, July 22-23, 2026
• Friday and Saturday, July 24-25, 2026

International and Out-of-State Fall Freshmen

• Thursday and Friday, August 20-21, 2026

International/Out-of-State Fall Freshmen are also welcome to attend any of the above dates for Fall Freshmen.

Please make note of the Blazer Beginnings schedule before making travel arrangements – all portions of Blazer Beginnings are required for students unless specifically marked as optional. Parents and family members are encouraged, but not required, to attend.

spirited activity Sessions marked with this symbol may include enthusiastic cheering and/or potentially loud noise.

Day 1

8:45-9:15 a.m.
Check-In, ONE Card Photos
Hill Student Center

9:15-9:45 a.m.
spirited activity Welcome and Morning Instructions
Hill Student Center

9:45-11:45 a.m.
Student Track: Campus Tour, Blazer Talk
Depart from Hill Student Center

Parent and Family Track: Making the Parent Transition, Family Engagement, Career Center, Campus Dining
Hill Student Center

11:50 a.m. - 1:20 p.m.
Lunch
Hill Student Center

spirited activity Student Organizations and Services Expo
Campus Recreation Center

1:20-2:25 p.m.
Student Track: Blazer Culture, Disability Support Service/Student Policies
Hill Student Center

Parent and Family Track: Information Technology, Disability Support Services, Buying Textbooks, Student Health Services
Hill Student Center

2:35-3:35 p.m.
Breakout Sessions: Specialized Interest Information Sessions
Hill Student Center

3:45-4:30 p.m.
spirited activity Student Track: Paying for College
Hill Student Center

Parent and Family Track: Paying for College
Hill Student Center

Day 2

Reminder: All sessions on Day 1 and Day 2 are required for students.

8:45-9:00 a.m.
Check-In, ONE Card Pickup
Hill Student Center

8:45-9:00 a.m.
Student Health – Immunizations and Health Insurance Submission (optional)
Hill Student Center
If you need help submitting your proof of immunizations or health insurance, visit the Student Health table next to orientation check-out.

9:00-9:25 a.m.
Breakout Sessions: On-Campus and Off-Campus Housing Information
Hill Student Center

9:25-9:45 a.m.
Small Groups
Hill Student Center

9:25-9:45 a.m.
Q&A with Student Housing and Residence Life
Hill Student Center

9:45 AM-10:35 a.m.
Student Track: Breakout Sessions: Student Success Workshops
Parent and Family Track: Parking and Transportation, Academics

10:35-11:45 a.m.
Student Track: Campus Safety
spirited activity UAB History & Traditions
Wrap-Up
Hill Student Center

Parent and Family Track: Professor Perspectives, Campus Safety, Athletics, History & Traditions
Hill Student Center

11:45 a.m.-1:20 p.m.
Student Track: Lunch
Commons on the Green Dining Hall

Professor Perspectives
University Hall

Parent and Family Track: Current Student Panel, Lunch, Family Member Networking
Hill Student Center

1:20-4:15 p.m.
Student Track: Academic Small Group, Academic Program Visit, Academic Advising Meeting
University Hall

Orientation Checkout
Hill Student Center

Parent and Family Track: Caring for Your Student, Student Affairs Panel, The Car Ride Home, UAB Bookstore Reception
Hill Student Center

Housing Tours (optional)
Depart from Hill Student Center
Plan to stay after orientation to tour on-campus housing if you plan to live on campus. This is your ONLY opportunity to see all 3 freshman residence halls. Last tour departs at 4:30 p.m.

3:00-5:00 p.m.
Individual Financial Counseling and UAB Office Visits (optional)
Hill Student Center
Make the most of your time at UAB! You are welcome to visit the following locations before they close at 5:00 p.m. Please note that students must be present for student-specific information to be discussed: One Stop, Disability Support Services, TechConnect, Veteran Services, and UAB Bookstore.

When your student is selecting the date they will attend Blazer Beginnings, please note that some orientation sessions will be offered virtually and some will be offered on campus. Family members may attend an on-campus session by making a reservation and paying a $10 fee to cover the cost of meals and staffing. Parent and family tracks is not offered for virtual sessions.

A separate Parent & Family Orientation is also available for family members of incoming students as pre-recorded videos housed within a specially designed course in Canvas, UAB’s learning management system. There is no cost for family members to participate in the Canvas course.

Transfer/Non-Traditional Dates and Schedules

The Blazer Beginnings schedule is below. There are a variety of schedule options available depending on the type of session: on-campus or virtual, daytime or evening. Click on the dates below to determine which option works best for you.

Please note that attendance at ALL portions of orientation is required for students. Parents and family members are encouraged, but not required, to attend.

Schedules for students entering in Spring 2027 will be announced at a later date.