TIME MANAGEMENT: CORPS MEMBERS ON CALL

Time has always been a major factor in the activities of man, as a student and as a worker, time is never enough. Amazingly it is this same time that most people think it is in abundance for corps members making them to assert that “service period is when you have the freest time in your life”.

Time can be defined in a paradoxical way as the shortest, yet the longest, the swiftest, yet the slowest, the most divisible and the most extended, the least valued and the most regretted, without which nothing can be done, which devours everything, however small, and yet opens the life and spirit to every object, however great. Even with this, most people still find it difficult to utilize this very short and enriched period of their life effectively.

Observation has shown that most corps members use time inappropriately, some even engage in what they called “buying time”. Dr. Yusuf posits about time that “whoever kills his time is just killing himself. It is a gradual suicidal crime that is committed before the eyes and ears of people and for which nobody is punished.” It is based on this that I came up with five things every corps members can or should engage their time in during service year.

Be a specialist: One of the simplest and most difficult question that can be posed to a youth is “what can you do?” Ask yourself what can I do, I am not talking about your certificate; are you gifted in writing; improve it. Do you have heart for Information Communication Technology, acquire more certifications and knowledge. You think you have no skill yet, this is the right time to get one and start up with it. Make yourself a giant in a particular field. For me this is one of the reason Skill Acquisition earn more weight in NYSC programme.

Break New relationship ground: Yes I mean relationship ground. NYSC is a conglomeration of talented young people from different parts of the country with different knowledge base. This is the opportunity to meet a good business partner, new friends, new mentors and several people with various characters. Endeavour to use this opportunity, explore reasonably and attract good friends that can shape your life. Remember, this are your contemporaries in the business, economy and societal world.

Refresh and build on your course knowledge: Some graduate after service only have their certificate as the only thing that speaks for their years in the higher institution, their knowledge base has become a blank sheet. Don’t be like them, refresh your school course once in a while in your service year, you can even make more research about your field. Know that you will need this knowledge either in the economy as a worker or when forging ahead in your academics. So don’t joke with this time.

Explore new things: In your service year, you can afford to make several experiments in life. Don’t wait till after service, start living your dream world. If you wish to own a business, start up in your service year, you would have seen the challenges and the prospect in it. You can also use your service year to learn about new things, read books, explore and make research.

Metamorphose your spiritual status:  Against the reality, most corps members are usually relaxed in their faith during service year, just for them to catapult same faith immediately after owing to the need of good job, beautiful wife, good caring husband among others. Your service year should be a time to make up for your spiritual life. Be identified with religious group during your service year for it will assist you from not falling.

I shall leave you with the words of the man identified by Michael H. Hart as the most influential person in history who says “seize the opportunity of five things before five others. Your life before death, your youth before senility (old age), your riches before poverty, your health before illness and your free time before you become busy”. You have all of this at your disposal, know that it is an opportunity that has to be utilize effectively. Surely there will be a day that some or all of this will be no more. 

By Ayinde Jamiu Kunle