Blog Post #7

Randy Pausch's Last Lecture

Here are some quotes throughout the lecture that I loved and wanted to share.

"When you're screwing up and no one bothers to tell you, that's when you know they've given up [on you]."

Honesty is something hard to come by. As a student, I always wondered how professors could so graciously accept criticism (constructive or not). At first, I thought it was them wanting students to realize "everyone makes mistakes" or "nobody's perfect" or just a correction before the wrong idea sets in, which may be the case for many professors. At second thought, it may be because they're striving for perfection, or they're glad someone's paying enough attention to correct their mistake. On way or another, Mr. Pausch says this because he wants people to open their eyes to what true constructive criticism is and what it means.

"Brick walls are there to keep the people who don't want it bad enough, out."

Determination to make your dreams come true is a must. There are many harsh environments for nature to live in, but it always finds a way to flourish. Just the same, our education is a race where we can limp off the track after falling, or picking ourselves up and push forward for what we want. It's all about attitude.

A professor recently talked to me about the possibility of getting my PhD in Mathematics instead of stopping at a Masters. I was taken aback because I never thought of that possibility, and when I asked him if he honestly believed I could do this, he said without hesitation, "Yes yes yes yes yes, of course, yes." My attitude had been shorting myself of a possibility. Now, I realize it's worthless to see myself as anything less than what I could be.

"Guys, that was pretty good but I know you can do better."

In this reflection, I realize many people finish activities and projects with a "WHEW! Done. There's nothing more to this" but people who come back and say "I know this is good, but something bothers me. I can make it better" are the people who will change the world. The unsatisfied. The tireless workers. The imaginative perfectionist. Striving for the better and unique is where change grows. This is where I want to be.

"That's the best a gift an educator can give their students: self reflection."

It's a great thing to want to be an educator, because we inspire so many kids and young adults to be better people, find careers, and develop life-long hobbies. One of the harder aspects of being a teacher is helping our students become better people. Even harder, showing them who they are and how others perceive them.

"I will fix this."

I loved this.Walt Disney is best quoted for saying "Keep moving forward." This is the same concept that I love to practice and hope to embody with my students.