If you’re like me, you’ve been counting down the days until the new Hunger Games movie is out. Now the day is finally here! Even if you’ve read all the books, you’re still aching to know if Katniss and Peeta end up together or if she can survive the next Hunger Games.
Have you ever imagined what would happen if you were tossed into the brutal Hunger Games and forced to fight for your life while the rest of the nation watched on television? These courses from the OpenSesame catalogue are essential training in your Hunger Games preparations. Here’s your chance to bring honor to your district.
Combat
When the games begin and you are standing on the block, staring at the arena with host Caesar Flickerman counting down “5… 4… 3… 2…1… GO,” will you be ready? Surviving the start of the Games, known as the bloodbath (because all tributes are clear targets), is the first step to victory. Ground Fighting Training Part 1 and Ground Fighting Training Part 2 are beneficial for surviving the initial bloodbath, as well as subsequent challenges in the Games. These courses emphasize solid ground fighting techniques, weapon retention, appropriate use of force, defensive tactics, and understanding body language. You will learn how to fight off pro-fighter “Careers,” properly wield any weapons you may find in the arena, and save yourself.
Communication
If you find yourself in a situation where the boy from District 2 has you trapped in a net and is about to kill you, it’s best to persuade him you could possibly be an ally (and later stab him in the back if you have to). Communicating Persuasively details the 7 Rules of Persuasion, which include topics such as how and when to offer new ideas and placing points strategically. This course is also helpful when trying to persuade citizens to sponsor you while you are fighting in the arena. Hopefully you can convince them to send you gifts, like the medicine Haymitch sent Katniss for her burn. With this course, you will become confident in your ability to communicate persuasively and wiggle your way out of difficult situations.
Nutrition
Entering the arena, you have no idea what to expect and will have to find food for yourself. In the 74th Hunger Games, Foxface sealed her sealed her fate when she ate Nightlock berries, which are highly poisonous. Without knowledge of flora and fauna, many tributes die early on in the games due to starvation or poisoning. The course Introduction to Food Hygiene teaches the importance of food hygiene and keeping food safe and unspoiled. The course also teaches how certain pests can contaminate food and make you really sick. When you are fighting for your life, you don’t want to have to worry about food killing you when there are 23 other people already trying to do so.
Environment
The Hunger Games arena can take the form of virtually any type of environment. In the 70th Hunger Games, the game-makers created and collapsed a dam, drowning many of the tributes. There have also been frozen tundra and scrub terrain arenas, each of which are as dangerous as the next. Each arena has its own environment and climate, so you’ll have little idea what to expect and train for. If it’s hot in the arena, make sure you don’t fall victim to heat stress, which can make you very vulnerable and weak. The course Heat Stress Causes teaches you how to avoid heat stress and deal with the symptoms. If the arena is very cold, you want to make sure you don’t contract hypothermia. This course teaches you hypothermia warning signs as well as ways to prevent it. Don’t let the environment in the arena kill you, let other kids—that’s what makes a good show and a good Hunger Games.
If you have the misfortune of being “reaped” and forced to compete in the Hunger Games, hopefully these courses will help you. Happy Hunger Games and may the odds ever be in your favor.
And if you’re curious, yes, I would win the Hunger Games. And no, I’m not sharing my strategy—a victor never gives up all his secrets.
Image: The Hunger Games Explorer