Lessons from Randy Pausch by Ali

Lessons from Randy Pausch by Ali - February 2015 Scholarship Essay

High school students have the stress and pressure of moving to adulthood after almost two decades of constant care from their parents. The book “The Last Lecture” was composed by Randy Pausch to pass on the lessons he acquired throughout his life. Young adults should read more books, specifically those written for people to be inspired and to learn important lessons that can change their life, instead of reading stories about “star crossed lovers.”

Randy Pausch was a professor of computer science at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Mr. Pausch was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2006 and given only months to live. He prepared his last lecture to pass on things that he had valued in his life. His lecture was called “Really achieving your Childhood Dreams”. The book “The Last Lecture” was written to expand the points he focused on in his live speech, as well as to add more inspiring stories to increase the number of lessons his reader could learn.

Possibly the most important lesson Randy writes about in “The Last Lecture” is about brick walls. Brick walls are described as roadblocks that disrupt the path you are taking to reach your goal. “The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough.” Randy goes into depth about the brick walls that he faced in his own life. Teenagers can relate to this because they can face so many obstacles in such a small amount of time. College bound juniors and seniors face college applications, scholarships, even senioritis (Yes, it’s a real thing!). Randy encourages his readers to push themselves to break down any obstacles in the way of their dream.

Prioritizing your time when you are in high school is vital. “The Last Lecture” introduces two questions “are you spending your time on the right things” and “are your goals and interests worth pursuing.” Asking yourself these questions when facing a large decision will help you come to the right conclusion. Prioritizing time is not the only concern Randy Pausch mentions in the book. He also tells a story about his new car and the intentional spilling of a soda can on his new seats. The lesson he aims to teach by telling the story to his readers is that material items should not be more important than family.

Criticism is just a part of life. Randy Pausch strongly suggest that criticism, whether it be from external or internal source, be embraced because it is important to one’s success. Pausch believed that it is important for students to be able to judge themselves efficiently in order to know their own capabilities and flaws. Being aware of your strengths and weaknesses helps you work on the right aspects. It is also important to not only receive feedback from someone else but to listen to it. Pausch acknowledges that it is hard to take advice from others, but listening to others point out your flaws can be surprisingly encouraging. The ones who point out your flaws are the ones who care the most, according to Randy, and when you stop receiving feedback from them, it means they have stopped caring about your success.

Listed on the 2006 best seller list, “The Last Lecture” continues to inspire its reader’s years later. This 224 page book is composed of the most uplifting stories and encouraging lessons. All students should read this book prior to high school graduation because not only does it contain an incredible life story about an amazing man, it also holds wise instructions to ensure the best life possible.