If you are a prospective corps member who has registered for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program, you might be wondering why your call up letter says you are not in this stream, but in stream 2. What does this mean and how does it affect your service year?
In this blog post, we will explain the meaning of stream 1 and stream 2, the reasons why you might be in stream 2, and what you can do to prepare for your orientation camp.
What are stream 1 and stream 2?
The NYSC program is divided into batches and streams. A batch is a group of corps members who register and serve in the same year. A stream is a sub-group of a batch that serves in different periods of the year.
For example, batch A is the first batch of the year, and it can have stream 1 and stream 2. Stream 1 will serve from January to March, while stream 2 will serve from April to June.
The reason why the NYSC program has streams is to accommodate the large number of graduates who register for the program every year. The NYSC orientation camps have limited capacity and resources, so they cannot host all the corps members at once.
Therefore, the NYSC management splits the batch into two streams and assigns them different dates for their orientation camp.
Why are you in stream 2?
If your call up letter says you are not in this stream, but in stream 2, it means that you have been assigned to the second stream of your batch.
This means that you will not go to the orientation camp with the first stream, but with the second stream. The date for your orientation camp will be announced later by the NYSC management.
There are several reasons why you might be in stream 2. Some of them are:
- You registered late for the NYSC program. The NYSC registration portal is usually open for a few weeks before it closes. If you registered close to the deadline or after the deadline, you might be placed in stream 2.
- You did not select enough states for your deployment. The NYSC program allows you to choose four states where you would like to serve. However, if you did not select enough states or if your preferred states are already filled up by other corps members, you might be placed in stream 2.
- You have a personal reason that prevents you from serving in this stream. The NYSC program allows you to apply for deferment or revalidation of your service year if you have a personal reason that prevents you from serving in this stream. For example, if you have an academic program, a job opportunity, a health issue, or a family matter that requires your attention, you can apply for deferment or revalidation and serve in the next stream or batch.
What can you do to prepare for your orientation camp?
If you are in stream 2, you do not have to worry or panic. You will still have the opportunity to serve your country and enjoy the benefits of the NYSC program. However, you should use the extra time to prepare yourself for your orientation camp and service year. Here are some tips on how to do that:
- Stay updated on the NYSC news and announcements. You should regularly check the NYSC website, social media platforms, and official channels for any news and announcements regarding your orientation camp date, venue, and requirements. You should also check your email and dashboard for any updates on your call up letter and deployment status.
- Get ready for your orientation camp. You should get all the necessary items and documents that you will need for your orientation camp. You can check the NYSC website for a list of items and documents that are required for the orientation camp. You should also get some personal items such as toiletries, snacks, medications, etc.
- Learn some skills or take some courses. You can use the extra time to learn some skills or take some courses that will benefit you during your service year and beyond. For example, you can learn a new language, a new software, a new hobby, etc. You can also take some online courses that will enhance your knowledge and skills in your field of study or interest.
- Network with other corps members. You can use the extra time to network with other corps members who are in stream 2 or who have served before. You can join some online platforms or groups where you can interact with other corps members, share experiences, ask questions, get advice, etc. You can also connect with some alumni or mentors who can guide you through your service year.
