A better way to do this

I want the selct table to retain it's value on submit. The way I have done it works but is a bit rubbish and was wondering if there is a more efficient way. I just make the variable equal to "selected" when the form is submitted <select name="table_name" id="table_name"> <option value="1" <?=$one; ?>>Please Select</option> <option value="news" <?=$two; ?>News</option> <option value="events" <?=$three; ?>Events</option> <option value="publications" <?=$four; ?>Publications</option> </select> Thanks, R.