New Year, New Semester (And Free Stuff You're Ignoring)

#INTRO

Tayo hasn't finished a single side project since 2024.

Tejiri mass-applied to 47 internships in December. Heard back from zero. Habeeb said he'd "lock in" this semester but he's already missed three 7 a.m. classes.

And yet here we are, writing a newsletter like we have it together.

We don't. But neither do you. That's why RADAR exists.

To be honest, there’s a thrill that comes with knowing we at Radar are loved — at least, we think we are.

The push it gives, the fuel it creates, the happiness it brings — it’s wonderful.
We have put our all into creating a small, tight-knit community of people who love to express themselves through words; people who believe that every pen wields extreme power. This community is thriving, and it’s all because of you 🫵🏾🫵🏾

So, welcome to our second edition of the Babcock Radar; the newsletter created to keep us all up to date with the activities of GDG Babcock, its members, and the vibrant world of tech as a whole.

We are overjoyed that you loved the first Radar edition, and we are confident that you’ll love this even more. So, let’s dive in, shall we?

#NEW YEAR, NEW LIES

Let's be honest.

Your 2025 resolutions? Dead. Buried in a GitHub repo you'll never open again. That "Learn Rust" bookmark? Collecting dust. The productivity app you downloaded on January 2nd? Uninstalled by the 5th.

But it's 2026, and we're doing this again. Because we're developers. We don't learn.

Place your right hand on your chest. Raise your left. Repeat after me:

"This year, I will..."

• Actually finish a tutorial. Not start five, abandon four, and lie about the fifth.
• Ask for help instead of suffering in silence for 6 hours. The bug is a typo. It's always a typo.
• Write commit messages like an adult. "fixed stuff" is not documentation.
• Build something someone can actually use. Your mom clicking the link doesn't count as traction.
• Stop saying "I'm learning" and start saying "I built this." Learning is a phase. Shipping is personality.
• Finally understand async/await. Not pretend. Actually understand. We'll wait.
• Write code I can read in six months. If opening your old files triggers fight-or-flight, you have a problem.
• Take breaks before burnout takes me. 10-hour coding sessions aren't a flex. They're a cry for help.
• Test before deploying. Not after users complain. Not after production catches fire. Before.
• Master one tool instead of touching ten. Jack of all trades, mass applicant to zero callbacks.
• Stop comparing myself to Twitter devs. Half of those "I built this in a weekend" posts took three months and a team.
• Stop lying about timelines. "Two more hours" means two more days. You know this.
• Name variables like a responsible adult. “finalFinal_v2_REAL” is not acceptable. Grow up.
• Build fewer side projects, but actually finish them. Habeeb finished one out of fifteen last year. That's a 6.7% success rate. He's proud of it. He shouldn't be.
• Celebrate small wins. Fixed a bug at 2 a.m.? That counts. You're allowed to feel good.

Will we keep every single one of these? Absolutely not.

But if we finish one project, read one error message properly, and master one tool — we'll call it growth.

2026 doesn't need us to be perfect. Just consistent. Just showing up.

May your builds pass, your bugs be obvious, and your deadlines be realistic.

Amen.

— Chioma

#ON OUR RADAR: FREE STUFF YOU'RE IGNORING

You're broke. We know. So why are you paying for tools?

GitHub Student Developer Pack. Free. Right now. For you.

• 15+ courses
• 80+ perks
• GitHub Pro & Copilot
• Free domains & hosting
• Cloud credits
• A gazillion other things you're too lazy to claim

This is GitHub handing you premium tools and saying, "Use am, no rush."

So, whether you’re building your first project, shipping something serious, or are just a cheapskate, here’s what you should do (Stop Making Excuses):

1. Go to GitHub Settings → Emails
2. Add and verify your Babcock email (yourname@student.babcock.edu.ng)
3. Go to Billing & Licensing → Education Benefits
4. Click "Start Application"
5. Select Babcock University
6. Submit and wait 72 hours

That's it. That's the whole process. If you can't do this, I don't know what to tell you.

Save your money for Events by Tania. February is coming.

— Habeeb

#RESUMPTION: A HORROR STORY

Written while listening to "Headlines" by Drake. On some Nolan shit.

One minute you're free. Sleeping at 4 a.m. Eating at 1 p.m. No alarms. No stress. Just vibes.

Then your phone buzzes.

"Resumption: January 13th."

And just like that, you're back.

Back to 4:30 a.m. alarms with personal vendettas. Back to running after tricycles. Back to lecturers saying "the semester is short," like four months isn't a marathon of suffering disguised as education.

Back to pretending.

Pretending you understand the course outline. Pretending you're motivated. Pretending this semester won't humble you as the last one did.

And now — new rules.

For the boys:

No full hair

No "anyhow" beards (beards are criminal now?)

No baggy trousers (my swag fit, gone)

For the girls:

No lip combos

No body-hugging clothes

No bubus during "official hours."

Translation: Be fine, but not too fine. Glow, but not too much. Be cute, but not distracting. Serve face, but not a full meal.

What do they want from us? NPC behavior? Default skins?

This campus is the Upside Down. Your clothes are audited. Hair is political. Everyone is one outfit away from disciplinary action.

This isn’t really about school.

It’s about control. About managing situation variables in a chaotic system.

It’s about character customization being locked.

But we comply. Not because it makes sense — but because the system requires it.

Resumption isn't a return to school.

It's a reminder that growth is messy, freedom is conditional, and somehow, with all these new policies, we still have to keep logging in.

— Hafeez

#IT STUDENTS: A SIWES SURVIVAL REPORT

Two interns. Two perspectives. One shared truth: nobody warned us.

Ayomide's Take

Waking up at 5 a.m. was not on my list of anticipated activities. Neither was getting home by 7 p.m. daily.

But imagination != reality.

I'm struggling to articulate the emotions you're meant to feel as you read this. And it's not my fault — I'm a working-class citizen now. A sample in the pool that is the labour force. An 8-to-6'er.

And there's a certain air of confidence that comes with that title.

A spring in my step.

The ladies love a working man. (Or so I heard.)

But I deviate.

Even with my jumbled mind running in a million directions, a messed-up sleep schedule, and the quiet urge to throw my newfound responsibilities away, there's a whole world out there.

People to meet. Experiences to live through. Food to taste — I cannot overemphasize this enough.

Who knows? You might find that career nudge you've been seeking. Start a book series that makes you feel seen. Meet that special someo—

I'm not completing that. You should be reading your books and adjusting to life in refurbished Babcock, not looking for a soulmate.

Tejiri's Take

If November me could see me now, she would have started preparing for what’s ahead instead of actively participating in delusional daydreams about being a corporate baddie.

What was I thinking? That I'd be living some SUITS fantasy?

Where do I even begin?

My workplace is far from home. I wake up at 5 a.m. and get home at 8 p.m. I work every day of the week. (If you have remote days, you need to give God 20% tithe instead of 10% as a thank you.) The hustle of Lagos. The painstaking traffic.

Nothing could have prepared me for working 8-to-5. (Abi 5-to-8?)

I genuinely thought I had the waking-up part in the bag. If I survived 7 a.m. classes, I could do this, right?

Wrong.

Okay, I know you didn't come here to read a girl complaining.

In the spirit of seeing light at the end of a very, very dark tunnel:

I'm grateful.

I found placement early. I'm learning — in and outside the office. I've figured out some Lagos routes on my own (with Google Maps, obviously). For someone like me, that's a big deal. I almost got lost on my second day, but that's a story for another time.

I'm learning to interact with people who aren't my age mates. I'm using my skills on real-world projects. I made a new friend. I'm learning what it means to show up even when it's hard.

And, of course, my work fits always slay. (Period.)

But here's the thing nobody talks about: balance.

I'm still learning it. Still struggling with it. It almost feels like a fantasy.

Over the past few weeks, I've either been getting ready for work, going to work, at work, coming back from work, or resting from work.

(Yes, I know. It's a lot of work.)

I recently watched a video that reframed this for me: work-life balance is a myth. Not everything can receive equal energy at the same time.

Life is like a juggler handling different balls. Some are glass — when you drop them, they break. Some are rubber — when you drop them, they bounce back. Some are plastic — when they are dropped, they dent, but you can fix them.

You have to learn which ones to hold tightly and which you can afford to drop in different seasons. Not every ball can be glass.

Right now, work is a glass ball for me. (This is a six-unit course... hello?)

Wow. I can't believe I'm talking about such serious stuff. But it's the truth, and I hope this helps you as much as it's helping me.

To every SIWES student reading this:

Whether you've started or you're about to — these six months will pass. Some days will feel fast. Others, painfully slow.

But try to make the most of it. Ask questions. Network. Try things you've never done.

The experiences that matter go beyond what you'll put in your logbook.

#TECH ROLES YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF

Everyone wants to be a software engineer. Or a data scientist. Or a product manager. Because those are the roles you've seen on LinkedIn.

But tech is bigger than your timeline.

Here are three roles nobody talks about — and why you should care:

🤖 RPA Developer

What they do: Build bots that do boring tasks so humans don't have to.

Moving data between systems. Filling out forms. Processing invoices. The stuff that makes people quit their jobs? RPA developers automate it.

Why it matters: Companies pay serious money for this. And almost nobody is competing for these roles.

🕵️ Forensic Data Analyst

What they do: Digital detectives. They investigate cybercrimes, data breaches, and financial fraud using data and AI.

Money laundering case? They trace where the funds went. Data breach? They find the hole.

Why it matters: Cybercrime is exploding. These people are in demand and short supply.

🧩 Implementation Specialist

What they do: Set up and customize large software systems for companies.

When a company buys a new management system, someone has to migrate the data, connect the databases, and make sure nothing breaks. That's them.

Why it matters: Every company eventually buys enterprise software. Someone has to make it work.

The point: You don't have to fit into the roles everyone else is chasing. Sometimes the path that clicks is the one you didn't know existed.

Stay curious.

— Freda & Temi

#THE "OUTCAST DEVELOPER" MYTH

Let's address something.

If you're studying outside STEM and learning to code, you might feel like an imposter. Like you're behind. Like everyone else has foundations you missed.

Here's the secret: We feel like impostors, too.

I haven't built a fully functional website from scratch yet. My dashboards need work. I don't know NumPy. I joined this writing team partly just to feel like I was contributing something to the tech world.

The other day, someone at work asked if I could code. I didn't know how to answer. Then they said:

"How can you be in 300 level and not know how to code?"

I didn't respond. (Solomon was right — silence is the best answer for those people.)

But if I had responded, I would've asked:

"So what?"

The world isn't one-size-fits-all anymore. We're in the age of polymaths and creative technologists.

Take my friend for example— we'll call him Orange — he is into fashion design, data science, agriculture, piano, painting, boxing, culinary arts, mathematics, and film production.

Those aren't contradictions. They're expressions of who Orange is.

And you have advantages you're ignoring:

• A music student might see rhythm in code structure
• An artist builds more engaging interfaces
• A writer (like me) keeps you reading all the way down here

You made it this far, didn't you?

I promised a roadmap at the start. There isn't one. You have to carve your own path.

But stop feeling like an outcast. Anyone who acts like they've figured it out is either lying or arrogant.

I will leave you with this and bid thee adieu!

"Dreams without goals are just dreams, and they ultimately fuel disappointment. On the road to achieving your dreams, you must apply discipline — but more importantly, consistency. Because without commitment, you'll never start. But without consistency, you'll never finish." — Denzel Washington

— Tayo

#WHAT IS GDG BABCOCK COOKING?!

What’s that smell?!

Relax, it’s not you. It’s just GDG Babcock in the kitchen, cooking up a semester full of learning, building, and career upgrades. And trust us to throw some fun in the mix while at it.

From hands-on tech workshops to real industry exposure, we’ve curated a series of events that will equip members with in-demand skills, real-world exposure, and meaningful industry connections that actually make sense for your growth (and your CV, too).

Here’s what you can look forward to:

1) Build with AI Workshop

Expected to hold on March 15, 2026. This one is for everyone who has been saying, “I want to learn AI, but I don’t know where to start.”

You’ll get hands-on experience building AI-powered applications using Google’s AI tools and APIs — not just theory, not just vibes. Expect practical sessions, guided exercises, and yes, you’ll leave with an actual working project (not “I almost finished it”).

2) ORBIT 1.0: Industry Summit

First of its kind. ORBIT 1.0 is our way of saying “let’s take learning outside the classroom.”

It’s a full industry experience where you get to see how things actually work in the real world. What to expect:

• A virtual hackathon where teams build real solutions to real problems
• Industry field trips so you can see companies beyond LinkedIn posts
• Panel discussions with professionals who have been there and done that
• A career fair where opportunities are very much waiting for you
• A closing ceremony with lots of awards to be won

It’s expected to run from March 29th to April 2nd and is open to students across Computing, Engineering, Business, Law, and Health Sciences, because tech touches everything, let’s be honest.

3) Study Jams & Skill-Based Workshops

For those who like consistency (or are trying to be consistent), these sessions will run all semester. Expect focused, beginner-friendly workshops on:

• Web Development
• Mobile App Development
• Cloud Computing
• AI & Machine Learning
• UI/UX Design

Whether you’re tech-curious, tech-serious, or just here to explore, come and learn at your pace; no pressure, just progress.

This lineup is more than just events — it’s a roadmap for growth, learning, and opportunity. From building real projects to connecting with industry professionals, GDG Babcock is creating spaces for members to thrive. Stay plugged in, mark your calendars, show up, and take advantage of what GDG Babcock is serving, because the kitchen is officially open. (Trust me, future you would be grateful) The journey this semester is about to be a good one!

— Tejiri

#TECH CROSSWORD

Okay, pause whatever you’re doing for a second.

We cooked up this crossword to stretch your tech brain just a little, nothing scary— unless you don’t actually know your tech terms. (side eye..)

Think you’ve got what it takes?

Fill it in without Googling. Don’t worry, we’re totally not watching.

When you’re done, take a screenshot, share it on your socials, and tag GDG Babcock — let’s see who really knows their tech and who is just here for vibes.

Happy puzzling, and may your answers compile successfully!

— Ayomide

#OUTRO

And that’s a wrap!!

We know you’ve had a blast reading this, from start to finish. And honestly, there are way more editions of greater writing and adventurous trips to embark on together.

So thank you for sticking with Radar and for being a part of the experience, until next time🫶🏾.

Next month:

Habeeb and Tayo debate whether Tailwind is overrated. (Spoiler: They almost fought during the planning meeting.)

Deba reviews the worst portfolio sites he's ever seen. Names will be named.

And we're launching something new. Can't say what yet. But clear your calendar.

Until next time,

Commit and push.

— The GDG Babcock Creative Writing Team ❤️