The Last Lecture

Carnegie Mellon University professor Randy Pausch's "The Last Lecture: Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams"  was/is huge youtube hit.This book details how he prepared himself for this lecture.Very interesting and sympathetic to read this book.Sympathetic because Randy knew that he would die soon and interesting because he accepts life's ups and down with great courage and the way he achieved his childhood dreams.

Once diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, he did not worry too much but he put a brave front by cheering his students and his family.His father's influence on him made him strong .He had good and loving parents and sister.Randy's explanation of his family life was something to cherish, even for us.His parents never spent extra money on anything , no outside food and not much TV etc.. but they spent lavishly on buying books, which helped Randy to explore everything.

The way he pursuit his childhood dreams was very inspiring.He wanted to become a Disney Imagineer when he was a kid, he became one latter in his life.He wanted to float , he did float during his visit to space center through his request.He too worked with Star wars film specially his favorite character Jedi.He inspired his students to work together in a small projects which made them a good team player as well as a good friend.

"Live in the moment" was his way of life after the diagnosis.I have to mention here the way his wife took care of their children and the household.I can not imagine that situation.He did whatever he can do make their children knows how much their father loved him by filming videos,i felt that was unique experience , one for posterity .

Some his quotes:

When there’s an elephant in the room introduce him.


Have something to bring to the table, because that will make you more welcome.


I probably got more from that dream and not accomplishing it than I got from any of the ones that I did accomplish.


You’ve got to get the fundamentals down because otherwise the fancy stuff isn’t going to work.


When you see yourself doing something badly and nobody’s bothering to tell you anymore, that’s a very bad place to be. Your critics are your ones telling you they still love you and care.


Tell The Truth. All The Time. No one is pure evil.


Show gratitude. Gratitude is a simple but powerful thing.



Find the best in everybody…. Wait long enough, and people will surprise 
and impress you. It might even take years, but people will show you their good side. Just keep waiting.


Decide if you’re a Tigger or an Eyeore. I’m a Tigger.


It is not about achieving your dreams but living your life. If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself, the dreams will come to you.


Experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted.


Never underestimate the importance of having fun. I’m dying and I’m having fun. And I’m going to keep having fun every day, because there’s no other way to play it….Having fun for me is like a fish talking about the importance of water. I don’t know how it is like not to have fun…


Better to fail spectacularly than do something mediocre.(He gave out a First Penguin award each year when he was teaching to the biggest failure in trying something big and new because he thought this should be celebrated.) 


The best piece of parenting advice I’ve ever heard is from flight attendants. If things get really tough, grab your own oxygen mask first.


To be cliché, death is a part of life and it’s going to happen to all of us. I have the blessing of getting a little bit of advance notice and I am able to optimize my use of time down the home stretch.


Head fake learning is absolutely important, and you should keep your eye out for them because they’re everywhere.


Until you got ice cream spilled on you, you’re not doing field work.



Don’t complain. Just work harder. That’s a picture of Jackie Robinson. It was in his contract not to complain, even when the fans spit on him.

Be good at something, it makes you valuable.

Great book !Must read for students!!