Making The Most of your NYSC Service year

After years of anticipation, Months of expectation to be selected, weeks of waiting for call up letter, the moment has finally arrived. The question you are now faced with is WHAT DO I DO DURING MY SERVICE? HOW CAN I MAKE THE MOST OF IT?.
Service year is not just an opportunity to serve your nation it is also a time to reflect on the past and plan ahead, knowing that the real world is yet but near.Tobiloba Ajibola
“I have packed my bags, I’m leaving town I’ve bought my ticket…….. Wish me well” is the common song of newly posted youth corpers after sleepless nights of waiting for posting letters. Leaving home for an adventurous journey to a place you’ve never been before (not all are posted to a new land.*winks*), meeting new people, learning a new tradition, above all collecting free money AKA Alawee (19,800).
NYSC is a once in a life time event and making the most of it is very important as it can form a crucial part in your life. Sobanke Deborah
Having being posted to a “new land” for a one year mandatory service, having fun at the same time learning as fast as possible is key because before you say Jack, the whole service year has ended. So I will give you some insights on how you can make the most of your service year.

1. NETWORK: “Your network is your worth”. Build “Productive” network of friends as they can end up being part of your success story. Don’t look down people, mingle- make friends; build and grow your network.

2. MAKE FRIENDS: Meeting new and wonderful set of people is important. Make friends with your platoon members, camp mates, CDS/ Local Government colleagues, community members. Just make friends!!!! Note: Apply wisdom while making friends so as not to make wrong friends. Who knows whether the next friend you are making is your wife or husband. So dear or a future business associate, start making friends.

3. LEARN: Learning is an important element for a successful and productive person, so dear, learn as much as you can. You can do a course (either online or professional courses), Hand skills (apply for SAED- it is affordable and preferable). Whatever you learn will help you one way or the other. The bitter truth is when you complete your service year, you might not have the opportunity to learn somethings again, so dear make most of the opportunity while you can now. Also learn good & productive characters from people. Also, learn the language, life styles, etc. of the community you are posted.



4. EXPLORE: Feed your curiosity!! Nigeria is so blessed that every state has either a historic site or a tourist center, get to know those tourist centers within your state of service. When going make sure you are not alone, go with friends at least for more fun and for security reasons.

5. EARN EXTRA CASH: Dear, earning extra cash in addition to your Alawee will go a long way. So be smart, think of ways of generating extra pay for yourself in a LEGITIMATE way. You can be an entrepreneur (come up with business idea(s) to earn money). Let me give you a tip: lookout for the challenge(s) your community is experiencing and find a way of solving it. In no time, you would start earning extra cash and live above your ALAWEE.

6. SAVE: Real life begins after your service year as you will no longer collect “free” money. So save, invest your money in profitable things that will give great ROI Return of Investment). So save part of your Allawee for the future. Don’t underestimate the power of little drops!!!

7. IMPACT: This is key / important as making impact goes a long way and allows you write your name in the sand of time. Impact lives, contribute to the development of your new community. You can solve social, environmental problems, etc. Have a spirit of SERVICE and contribute to the growth and development of our great country Nigeria.

Above all, HAVE FUN as this is a once in a life time event (Visit new places, enjoy yourself, etc); make new friends, learn new things, SAVE for the rainy days, contribute to the development of your new community; develop yourself as you might not have luxury time like this again.

“Whatever turns up, grab it and do it. And heartily! This is your last and only chance at it, For there's never going to be another service year.”
“Above all and before all, do this: Get Wisdom! Write this at the top of your list: Get Understanding!” God bless Nigeria!!! God bless NYSC!!! WEEE!!! Credits: Sobanke Deborah, Tobiloba Ajibola, transport2camp