Lessons from the Last Lecture by Olivia

Lessons from the Last Lecture by Olivia - February 2015 Scholarship Essay

“The Last Lecture” perhaps may not be as well known in the high school literary world. I must admit, it was not on my radar or short-list of reads either, as a senior. In fact, I read it by chance. While applying to Carnegie Mellon University this past Fall, I decided to explore the lives of some of CMU’s famous alumni and I came across the late Randy Pausch, former CMU graduate student and professor. Pausch received a terminal diagnosis in 2007. His pancreatic cancer, once in remission, had returned with a vengeance and his pancreas now was host to ten deadly tumors. He was given under one year to live. Pausch decided to leave his position at Carnegie Mellon and, per tradition, gave his final lecture at the university, titled “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams.” Later that year, he co-authored “The Last Lecture,” which put pen to paper his already-verbalized parting comments. The book quickly became a New York Times best-seller and, somewhere along the line, fortunately fell into my hands.

“The Last Lecture” shares the wisdom that Pausch wished to impart on the world, specifically his children and his students, before his exit. He retold childhood stories and how he came to be a professor at the university, all with the main purpose of inspiring others to be curious, dream big, help others, show gratitude, and never give up. He painfully shared his failures – he initially did not get into Brown University for undergraduate study or into Carnegie Mellon for graduate school! But through his perseverance and tenacity, he was finally granted enrollment. Pausch never reached the level of playing football that perhaps he may have liked, but he admits that he may have gotten more from pursuing that dream, and not accomplishing it, than he may have from many of the things he did accomplish. Many high school students feel a constant, nagging pressure to succeed – to win, to outdo the rest. I admit to being a bit of a perfectionist and failure never settles well with me. Pausch reminds me that lessons are learned along the way, not at the finish-line. The rewards of victory are not always more valuable than the spoils of failure. Of the many lessons I learned over the course of reading “The Last Lecture,” I value this one the highest.

Throughout “The Last Lecture,” I picked up on an overwhelming, overarching theme: live in the now and appreciate the now. As a high school student, I have always been so focused on my future – so much so, that I believe I have been too distracted and absent in my present. Pausch helped me to gain a more meaningful perspective in life. He considered himself lucky, even though he was dying. He was grateful for the time he now had to say goodbye. I should be grateful for each moment I have, even moments spent in sorrow or in anger. Life is too short.

“The Last Lecture” is a thought-provoking and meaningful read. Pausch, as he has touched millions of people as well, helped me to gain the right perspective in life. He considered himself lucky, even though he was dying. He was grateful for the time he now had to say goodbye. He calls us to inspire and enable others, as well as ourselves, and encourages charity and curiosity – all fantastic lessons for high school students to learn. Full of many lessons, big and small, this book is able to reach everyone in one way or another. I feel that the perspective I have gained from reading “The Last Lecture” will undoubtedly benefit me as I move on to college and adult life. For that reason, among others, I highly recommend it to any and all high school students. We all should seek to embody Pausch’s attitude and outlook.