In a recent study, students who were randomly assigned to be reminded how little time they had left in the college careers reported partaking in more activities and being happier.  Would this apply in all situations or just to the iminent conclusion of college? From a Psychology Today article on savoring:

All good things must come to an end, and dwelling on that fact will just spoil the fun, right? Wrong. Research published in Psychological Science reveals that you savor a temporary experience more when you remind yourself of its imminent conclusion.