NYSC Orientation Camp: How to Prepare

If you're reading this, odds are you have got your call up letter already and are about to leave home for the NYSC orientation camp, or you know someone who is about to.

Preparating for NYSC camp can be a bit overwhelming if you don't know how to go about it. Depending on who you ask, there's either a ton of suggestions that cover the basics or there's really no clue on how to go about it.

Before you head out to splurge on things that will turn out to be unnecessary, do well to check out this list below to make a better informed choice.

1. Pack Light

You'll have to fight your impulse on this one. You do not need a large travelling bag. You're not emigrating to Ethiopia. Get a portable travel bag fitted with your bare necessities like creams, underwear and IDs.

2. Buy Your Own White Tees and Shorts

Yes, you have heard that the NYSC will issue everyone white Tees and shorts, but you will do well to pack yours for the trip. The standard issue from the NYSC is a pair of tees and shorts that you would not wear unless under duress - which will basically be the case if you don't come with yours.

3. Buy a Pair of White Sneakers or Tennis shoes

Again, The NYSC will issue you a pair of tennis shoes along with your other kits. But you will be grateful to have brought a spare pair for yourself. The parades and the drills will ensure that your kits lose their white appeals very quickly and you will need something to put on while you have the other pair out for cleaning.

4. Pack Copies of Your Documents and Passport Photo

This goes without saying really. Ensure you have copies of your certificates and other relevant documents in your bag. Make scans of original documents as well. To be safe, make as many copies as possible, say, at least 10 each. You never know what registrations you'll be asked to do in camp and the Photocopier Operators in camp will put such a steep price on photocopying documents that you'll kick yourself for not doing it at home. Duress, eh?

5. Book a Cheap Hotel Ahead of Your Passing Out From Camp

This sounds weird, right? Well, you heard it here first. Depending on what State you'll be transferred to, chances are that you may not have anywhere to stay at after the 21 days of Orientation Camp is over and you have to stay back in the State for a few more days to finish up registrations at the Local Government Secretariat and Your Place of Primary Assignment. Instead of being stranded, you can prevent yourself from any such hassles by having a hotel booking website book a cheap hotel for you around the location and then, right after camp closes down, you take a cab to the hotel and check in as arranged. Pretty neat plan, eh? You're welcome.

6. Split Your Money

Do not leave all your money in the account with the intent to use the ATM at will on arrival at camp. That will very likely not happen as there very likely will not be an ATM machine within reach, depending on which camp you're at. And you may not be able to go out of camp to use an ATM for the first few days. You'll need money to pay for a couple of necessities like snacks, water, laundry, tailoring at the Mami Market - if you get oversize kits issued to you (Yeah, it happens). Just ensure you have some money in handy.

7. Get a Waist Purse

Ridiculous stuff, yeah? No, it isn't. You will come to love your waist purse and you both will be best friends in camp. It's the place to keep your valuables - money (obviously), phones, IDs, receipts, ATM cards and whatnot. Your waist purse will save you out there, so, yeah, totally get one. Anyway, if you can't get to buy, it'll very likely get sold to you in once you get to camp.