Why am I in University? Why do you want an education? Why do I want to make a difference that won't last? Why do I do things that ultimately don't matter.
The Atheist Answer: Does your life have to mean something? Humans may not exist for a reason. Their accomplishments may not last forever. But there is a reason people do the things they do. Pleasure. Be it intellectual or physical. Be it the pleasure of watching a great T.V. show, or the pleasure of getting a great *******. The pleasure of philosophy, or the pleasure a great hamburger.
While I don't agree with Richard Taylor's essay on the meaning of life, he does bring up a very valid point. I shall use the same analogy as him.
In the Myth of Sisyphus, Sisyphus has greatly offended the gods, and is forced to live an eternal life of suffering. He has to roll a stone up a hill only for it to roll back down again. He will do this forever. The stone will never stay on top of the hill, and he will never have ANY rest.
Now, imagine that Sisyphus was implanted with some kind of desire or urge, one that would never diminish, to roll stones up a hill. He would be accomplishing his one desire for eternity. Does his life now have meaning? No -- but I'd be incredibly jealous of him! He has an eternity of pleasure ahead of him!
Point is, the only way to avoid the absurdity of life is to look at our actions at face value, rather than trying to find a "greater" meaning. Why do people continue to live? Because life is full of pleasure. You just have to find it.
It sounds to me like you're having an existential crisis. Philosophers can be very convincing (I'm assuming you're reading some Nietzsche?), what with their clever rhetoric and world wide acclaim. But I suggest that you broaden your horizon a bit, and realize that there is a converse way of looking at everything.
