Randy Pausch's “Last Lecture”

(By: Sarah Spock)

In Randy Pausch's thoughtful and accurately-titled book, termed “The Last Lecture”, he
presented many interesting outlooks, both regarding the classroom, and on general life experiences.
The book was split into five distinct sections and a closing. I feel I can express my feelings
regarding this piece of work by talking about the importance of each section, to me.

I. The Last Lecture

In this section, I feel Randy teaches us what it is like to have an illness, and how it affects
both friends and family. He taught us to have a different outlook on life as a dying person:
focusing on life instead of death. This is completely evident in the way he conducted his speech,
which had more to do with teaching people and making his illness humourous (pushups on stage).

II. Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams

This portion of the book focused primarily on Randy as a child, his aspirations, and how he
set out to achieve them. It was inspiring to me because Mr. Pausch is traditionally viewed as a
Carnegie Mellon professor with an illness. Here, he revealed himself as not only enthusiastic about
teaching and dreams in academia, but also his real life experiences and how they affected him
throughout his life. I thought the story about his coach was particularly awe-inspiring because it
goes to show you that individuals with whom you may not initially identify with sometimes perhaps
teach you some of the most important experiences- those that you take with you throughout your
life. I identify with this due to a few teachers I had as a high school student who challenged me
academically. Without this challenge, I would not have been prepared for the dual enrollment
courses that at the time laid ahead.

III. Adventures... And Lessons Learned

Here, Mr. Pausch once again assumes the role of an educator. This section tells about
particular life experiences that were particularly unpleasant at first glance and how Mr. Pausch was
able to effectively make the best of them. Perhaps this section was one of the “headfakes” as
described by Pausch in an earlier section, “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams”. His coach
often did similar maneuvers to get his point across. I believe that Pausch employed the “headfake”
method of teaching in this section. He told of his challenging experiences regarding Cancer and
Jai, and how he overcame the thought of death by focusing on life, and how Jai's brick wall came
tumbling. Here, Pausch effectively communicates that one must always look at the bright side of
certain unpleasant situations in order to make the most out of them. There is a reason for
everything. I believe that when one makes mistakes is when he/she learns the most. This is the
theme that seemed to capture “Adventures.. And Lessons Learned”.

IV. Enabling the Dreams of Others

This section I feel is perhaps the most important one of all. Mr. Pausch explains the “paying it
forward” methodology, even if this was purely unintentional. To give a person a fish is one thing,
but to teach him how to fish helps him throughout his life. Pausch does just that by teaching the
book's audience not only how to change their whole life, but to change others. This theme is most
evident in the chapter Randy Pausch titled “A Recovering Jerk”. Here, Randy tells how he brought
this to the classroom by using peer assessments. Enabling the dreams of others sometimes involves
teaching others some of the flaws that reside in themselves, that perhaps might be hindering their
efforts. Randy also used this chapter, and the next, “Training a Jedi”, to explain specific incidents
regarding helping other individuals change the world, so they can pass this methodology to their
friends and children. He effectively teaches by example the importance of other people in regards
to your success, both as a professional, and as a person.

V. It's About How to Live Your Life

Here, Mr. Pausch offers tips concerning how he feels life should be lived. He mentions that this
book was for his kids and his wife. This is where I feel his love for helping people truly comes out.
The book is successfully wrapped up by offering useful life tips, such as dreaming big, ignoring
norms in regards to dress, working hard, and how obsessing about what other people think. I think
this not only benefits his children, but every student he never had the chance to teach.