What would you expect the last lecture of a 46-years-old top academic to be like? Full of sadness, desperation and regrets? On the contrary, Professor Pausch’s last lecture was full of laughter, positivity and wisdom.

Randy Pausch was a professor of computer science, Human Computer Interaction, and Design at Carnegie Mellon University. He was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer a month before he gave the lecture in the University. The title of his “Last Lecture” was “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams”. He looked so healthy and was so humorous through the talk that made the audience forgot he was a person with terminal illness. Through the stories of his childhood, he stressed the importance of having dreams and having fun in everything one does. In this phenomenal lecture, Professor Pausch discussed all the important things in life. He talked about dreams, love, passion for knowledge and so many other things that would guide you to be a better person. After all, this lecture was not just an ordinary lecture for his students. It meant to be the most precious gift to his three children.

I was a student of computer science when I watched Professor Pausch’s last lecture with my schoolmates through the Internet. We laughed and cried along the lecture. We were deeply touched and inspired. It might be because we were all in the field of computer science, the works and dreams mentioned by Professor Pausch were so familiar to us. Many years have passed. Not only was I touched and inspired once again when I read this book, I was immersed in my own memories of my university study. I am proud that I still have dreams and I am working hard to pursue them.