The Unofficial Guide to Surviving College: Book 1: How Not to College

By Leslie C. Hayes and Dr. Eugene D. Hayes

An Unofficial Guide to Surviving College is a collection of stories by the father-son duo Dr. Eugene Hayes and Leslie Hayes to make college life a memorable experience, offering its readers a chance to learn from other's mistakes. It perfectly blends Dr. Eugene's extensive experience in the public health sector, mentoring and leadership, and Les

• Language: English
• Publisher: Eugene Hayes
• Release date: Jun 26, 2023
• ISBN: 9798988274407

Book preview

Preface

The stories in this book reflect on some of the defining moments of my (Leslie) college life. Each chapter explores an experience that taught me a valuable lesson and transformed me into who I am today. From spending $3000 on vending machines to the consequences of indulgence to the importance of following a rubric or not engaging in the forbidden topics, each story is unique in its own way, yet they are all connected by a common thread: the power of learning from our mistakes.

As I share my stories, I hope to inspire others to reflect on their own experiences and learn from my mistakes because it is impossible to learn from others’ mistakes. Long story short, we all make mistakes. What we learn from those mistakes, to how we choose to outgrow those mistakes define us. Through my own experiences, I have learned the importance of perseverance, resilience, and self-reflection, and I hope my stories can serve as a reminder that if I can learn and grow from my mistakes, so can you.

I want to dedicate this book to all the individuals who have been a part of my journey and helped shape me into who I am today. Whether it was a teacher who challenged me to do better, a friend who supported me during a tough time, or a family member who offered words of wisdom, each individual played a role in my personal and professional development.

Introduction

There are moments in our lives that shape us into the person we are today. Whether a triumph, a mistake, or a combination of both, these experiences profoundly impact our perspectives, behaviors, and growth. This book will share some of the defining moments of my life and the lessons I have learned along the way.

From the consequences of indulgence to the importance of following a rubric, each chapter explores a different experience and the lessons I have learned from it. These stories are not just about me but also about the people who have played a significant role in my transformative journey and the lessons that they have taught me.

While each chapter is unique, they are all connected by a common theme: the power of learning from our mistakes. It's easy to get caught up in our successes and forget the lessons our failures offer. But we have the greatest growth opportunities in these moments of difficulty and challenge.

Through my experiences, I have learned the importance of perseverance, resilience, and self-reflection. I hope that by sharing my stories, I can inspire others to reflect on their own experiences and embrace the power of learning from their mistakes.

Chapter 1: The Time I Blew $3,000 on Vending Machines

In my first year of college, I lived in a dorm with vending machines on