So what kind of stuff is in walking distance of UAB?
Kinda depends on what you'd consider "walking distance". I always walk to Five Points from campus if I'm there and I'm in no rush. So I'd say most of the time you could, if you wanted, walk there. I suppose Railroad Park and the Barons stadium would count too. On the periphery of the dorms and main (non medical) buildings there's Al's, Formargio's (Tuesday and Thursday nights is Karaeoke-Anime club heads there for Thursday), and Purple onion are all restaurants next to the parking deck by Rast and Camp. There is a Kangaroo with Hungry Howies, a CVS, and another gas station with Papa Johns behind Rast and Blount. If you go past the Business building for a block or two there's a few more restaurants, like Fat Sam's (a sandwich shop) on the backside of the church and Giusseppe's which is in a lot with a bar and some other stuff across from the Glen Iris neighborhood the new apartment high rise.
Other than that I wouldn't say there's a lot a lot to do within walking distance. It's basically places to eat and then you'd go to Five Points for bars/clubs and you'd head north on the street that has Heritage, Campbell, construction, and the mini park, to go directly to Railroad and the stadium.
I'm not sure if I missed anything but if there's anything else you want to know lemme know.
P.S. If you go to Five Points you should probably bring a buddy if you're uncomfortable around homeless people-especially at night. I was never really bothered by them and I generally have money that I know they'd use better than I so I really don't care, but it's still something to consider on your first trip.