Undergraduates: When you’ve put in the effort and are just about to earn that degree, here’s a quick list of reminders to ensure you make the most out of the time before you graduate.
Meet with your advisor.
Your advisor will make sure you’re on track to graduate and will provide helpful information to prepare you for your final requirements.
Check your campus email for important info from the Provost.
The Provost’s Office will send a series of emails with graduation details. These will begin arriving two to three months before your commencement ceremony. Check the Commencement website for more information. Note: “Apply to graduate” is different from “RSVP to walk.” You’ll need to do both to attend the ceremony. Also, be sure to complete the graduation survey email from the Provost to share your post-graduation plans.
Attend the Graduation Fair and order regalia, etc.
This event at the University Bookstore is your one-stop shop for regalia, announcements, class rings, diploma frames, graduation medallions, legacy stoles, and more. (If you missed the event, you can still order regalia and other items online.)
Visit the Career Center to prep for life after graduation.
Meet with a coach at the UAB Career Center to refine your resume, practice interview skills, and learn about job opportunities and openings; or meet with your advisor to plan for other options, such as grad school, law school, or pre-health/professional school.
Smile for the camera.
Visit the Iris photo booth in the Hill Student Center for professional photos. Schedule personal photos at significant spots on campus, such as the fountain outside Campbell Hall, the Campus Green, the Blaze statue in front of the Collat School of Business, and the crosswalk over University Boulevard. (And don’t forget to pose for the Glambot at the ceremony if you'd like to bask in the spotlight.)
Gather and share ceremony info with your friends and family.
Collect need-to-know info and share with your guests. Be sure to arrive early to arrange parking. Decks around Bartow will be open, but spots go fast—here are a few popular spots to try:
- University Boulevard Deck, 1915 University Blvd Birmingham, Alabama 35233
- 12th Street Parking Deck, 1201 University Blvd Birmingham, Alabama 35233
- 14th Street Parking Deck, 609 14th St S Birmingham, Alabama 35233
Feel free to celebrate on campus before or after the ceremony with water-soluable confetti, flower petals, and bubbles, but no alcohol.
Stay in touch with the National Alumni Society and others.
Once a Blazer, always a Blazer. Your UAB email will remain active forever. You may use it or forward messages to another account; visit the Subscription Center to subscribe to newsletters and stay up-to-date with UAB happenings. Share your plans with the UAB National Alumni Society. Did you know: Your degree gets you automatically enrolled in the NAS for life! The NAS offers year-round opportunities for professional development, networking, and deals. And don’t forget to share your graduation news on LinkedIn with UAB’s custom graduation graphics, which can be found on the official UAB LinkedIn account and on the Digital Asset Library.
Never forget the Blazer Way.
Reflect on what it means to be a Blazer. Be sure to thank the people who made an impact on your college experience. Approach your next chapter with the confidence that comes with accomplishment, curiosity that allows for a lifetime of learning and growth, and the camaraderie of newfound friends and mentors.
Blaze on!
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