Ezinne Aja & Kemi Smith
First thing you need to know is camp isn’t what you expected. You might have asked questions from old corps members and they might have given you some good information but nothing they could have said would really hit the proverbial nail on the head. So if possible, begin with a blank slate with no expectations because you definitely find out it is not what you thought it was. So here are some tips that will help you survive the three weeks of NYSC camp:
Make a Schedule
If you are like me, you would write your own schedule down with respect to the daily schedule that is provided, but that’s just me! If you aren’t up to the task, then make a mental schedule. Using a typical day as an example, you are woken up at 4a.m (and if you piss the soldiers off, 2am-3am- not funny at all!) and all programs the night before end latest at 11 p.m.and Most times if you can take a quick shower before the soldiers send you in, - do so. NEXT, SLEEP, don’t gist, SLEEP—you will thank God you did!!! Since you have taken a shower the night before, you can get up at 3:30-3:45a.m and get dressed quickly, lay in bed till you are pursued out of the room For girls on their period please get up a little earlier and take a quick shower (personal hygiene).
Girls and Make-Up
All my beautiful ladies out there, you do not need to wear make-up at 4 a.m. in the morning or get up 2 hours early to wear make-up (…the guys you want to impress are mad at being awake and thus appreciating you isn’t in the agenda). Logically it makes no sense. If you can’t deal with this, then use light powder (brown, white, little concealer or foundation) –no need for eye-liner, mascara, lip-stick and so on and so forth. Whose attention are you trying to get? If he’s yours he will/should love you no matter what—so don’t try too hard.
Personal/Public Hygiene
After the morning parade, time is usually given to take a shower and get breakfast. Use this time wisely. The best option is to patronize those who help get water, to fetch for you the night before. This way you quickly have your bath and eat breakfast early and still have time to relax before your first lecture.
Another point under this is the best time to wash your clothes is either during your free days (weekends) or quickly before you eat lunch so the clothes will dry. For those who find this inconveniencing and have money to spare, there are people available for these duties, so find a trustworthy person to wash for you because trust me, you will have lots of clothes to wash, being that the soldiers will almost always tell you to sit or lie on the floor- better pray it stops raining before then!
Healthy Living
Yes! Its camp!—No! You do have to look tragic after camp. It might sound crazy, but you can eat a balanced diet at camp. Though the camp provides a kitchen with breakfast, lunch and dinner, this may not be palatable to every camper. ‘Mami market’ is a facility created to cater to the every need of the aspiring corps member—from to clothes, to even electronics—mami has it all. Get fruits to eat with all of your meals, do not over snack, and try to eat vegetable soups and avoid too much sugar.
To all those who find camp as a guilt free pass to drink, I say ‘pity your inhibitions’. Though I advise against drinking, if you do drink, don’t be stupid on purpose. As we know, people tend to do stupid things and make bad decisions when they are drunk, so be wise. For the ladies or those who are body conscious; please the sun is merciless, come along with your sunscreen also you wouldn't require too much make-up except if you plan on winning 'Miss NYSC' (.
if that's the case bring a dinner gown along with heels o).
Spend Wisely
Do not spend to impress—it will most likely lead to your detriment. NYSC gives out the first 'allawee' on camp, so you don't need to be too worried if you didn’t bring along enough cash. You must be in the literal sense 'cash-strapped'—strap your cash to yourself (and by strap I mean tie to your neck- ok not your neck per say, lol), because if your money goes AWOL on camp it’s not a very good experience especially if you're the type to patronize Mami market for your every meal. You would end up with the kitchen as your true customer.
Good Interpersonal Relationships
Camp is definitely a place to make new friends, and perhaps even start up Disney romantic relationships. As my usual advice is, don’t be stupid. Stay away from the ‘bad crowd’ that will entice the devil in you to make bad decisions. Do not meet random strangers and fornicate (keep the leash on the dragon), no matter how you look at it; it wouldn’t lead to a positive end. Even if you believe you are in love, chill till after camp if you can’t say no till you are married (my opinion)! Jeez hold thyself.
Rules
You're working with soldiers. SOLDIERS! There might be some of you that have probably been to a boot camp before so you're not worried but for the rest of us that are out of shape and like sleeping in, there might be problem. To avoid embarrassment, always obey all the rules. Wake up time is 5 a.m. mostly 4 a.m. and you'll know it's time because you'll be woken musically. Every time you do anything, "YOU'RE WRONG" (but don’t run half way to embarrassment out of your own freewill; scapegoats teach a great lesson and a give a good laugh only if you aren’t the star of the show).
I'm not trying to scare you, just letting you know that YOU'RE WORKING WITH SOLIDERS. Therefore, to have a peaceful 3-week experience, OBEY THE RULES (key operative word being OBEY)!
Have Fun
Last but not least, have fun (OMG, the fun though! After 4,5, 6 or even 7 years in school, you NEED this much fun) While in camp - Live don’t just exist! Do things you will be able to look back at and laugh (again, not stupid things). Smile! Yes, camp is the most frustrating thing ever, but still smile. If you go around being sad and dull, I bet you camp will be more miserable than you can imagine. Make good decisions, and always be spiritually inclined (it always works for me). Having the right mindset would make the 3weeks even more enjoyable.
Try out groups: parade, band, OBS, even in your platoon, you could sign up to play one or two sports and you might just get posted to the city's capital *wink*.
P.S: Please take more than the amount NYSC said you should, for your own peace of mind o!
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