ERASING THE FINISH LINE: The New Blueprint for Success Beyond Grades and College Admissions, author, academic advisor, and educator, Ana Homayoun addresses issues that are critical and timely for parents, teens, educators, and anyone who cares about our kids today.
With mental health issues on the rise, college pressure, new technology like ChatGPT, social media, and the fear of what's to come in the future, Ana re-envisions what skills young people really need to thrive in school, and more importantly, in life.
“Ana Homayoun fearlessly questions the prevailing mindset that a good life is simply a linear path from good grades to a good school and ultimately a good job…Erasing the Finish Line will resonate deeply with caring adults who believe that young people deserve the opportunity to self-define success and chart their own authentic path.”*
Discussion Points with Ana Homayoun:
College admissions has become a faulty finish line for adolescent development; it is not only misleading but is harming the wellbeing of children and parents.
Our world is fast-changing and rife with uncertainty; students are dealing with the effects of COVID (emotionally, socially, academically) and facing a new technological world (i.e. ChatGPT), requiring increased creativity, innovation, connection, and leadership.
Parents can nurture their children’s growth and model the skills that will help them succeed. By focusing on daily habits - like organizing, prioritizing and planning, starting and completing tasks, and being adaptable when something doesn't go as planned - you can model and work with your tween/teen to further develop these skills.
People are so obsessed with high test scores and college admissions that we are missing developing critical and crucial skills that are key for lifelong success. Our laser focus on these achievements leaves students feeling anxious, demoralized and unprepared.
By focusing on skills - like executive functioning skills
Connection is another critical skill that is one of the most important for our future success. But without realizing it, we often approach connections transactionally, rather than with authenticity. We then miss out on meaningful, mutually supportive relationships that have the potential to enrich our lives.
In ERASING THE FINISH LINE: The New Blueprint for Success Beyond Grades and College Admissions (Hachette Go; 8/29/23; $29; ISBN: 9780306830693), renowned teen and early career development expert, author and educator Ana Homayoun offers a groundbreaking new way of thinking about education for parents, teachers, administrators and policymakers deeply invested in the emotional development and well-being of children today.
For decades, we have been collectively brainwashed into believing that getting into a “good” college is an all-encompassing key to a successful life. Year after year, this frenzy causes students and their families to be overtaken by the rollercoaster ride of the college admissions process which leaves students feeling anxious, demoralized and unprepared.
What if we’ve overlooked the critical skills young adults need to navigate an ever-changing world? What fundamental skills help young people adapt, persevere, and thrive?
Focusing on foundational executive functioning skills that empower kids to develop their own blueprints for success, ERASING THE FINISH LINE flips the way we think about education altogether. In her accessible and solutions-oriented guide, Homayoun shares stories of her former and current students to shift our perspective beyond pre-prescribed paths and expand our vision to help each young person thrive in school and life.
Readers will discover how to:
Understand the importance of prioritizing foundational skills
Develop a system based on executive functioning skills
Build valuable social capital while fostering genuine connections
Identify their energy profile and how to recharge
Expand perspective through shared experiences and exposure
Remain adaptable in the face of disappointments and setbacks
ERASING THE FINISH LINE: The New Blueprint for Success Beyond Grades and College Admissions
Hachette Go | August 29, 2023
About the author:
Ana Homayoun is an academic advisor and early career development expert working at the intersection of executive functioning skills, technology and personal energy management. She is the founder of San Francisco Bay area based Green Ivy Educational Consulting and the author of three previous books: That Crumpled Paper Was Due Last Week, The Myth of the Perfect Girl and Social Media Wellness. She lives in San Francisco. To learn more about her work, please visit www.anahomayoun.com.
Here's a speaking reel to see Ana in action: https://vimeo.com/835643325/e08f006581?share=copy
Advance Praise:
“In this timely and important book, Ana Homayoun gives students and families the blueprint they need to launch into a fulfilling life and engaging career.
— Jeffrey Selingo, New York Times bestselling author of Who Gets In and Why and There Is Life After College
“Erasing the Finish Line is the book I will recommend over and over in the coming years, a gift to parents, educators, and adolescents confused by the conflicting demands of achievement and fulfillment.”
— Jessica Lahey, New York Times bestselling author of the The Gift of Failure and The Addiction Inoculation
"Ana Homayoun has given parents a blueprint for guiding all kids — not just the most advantaged -- in the “how,” not the “what”, of authentic, lifelong success… …This book will come as a relief for every parent who wants to help strengthen the bones of the building, not just its facade."
— Rachel Simmons, author of Odd Girl Out and Enough As She Is
“Eye-opening and compelling, this book has the answers that parents and educators need right now. ”
— Jordan Shapiro, author of Father Figure and The New Childhood
“…This book is practical, extraordinarily empathetic, and a breath of fresh air, and it's just what the doctor ordered for anxious parents and anxious teens alike.”
— Anya Kamenetz, author of The Stolen Year and The Art of Screen Time
“In her thought-provoking book, Ana Homayoun fearlessly questions the prevailing mindset that a good life is simply a linear path from good grades to a good school and ultimately a good job…Erasing the Finish Line will resonate deeply with caring adults who believe that young people deserve the opportunity to self-define success and chart their own authentic path.”
— Kyle Schwartz, author of I Wish My Teacher Knew and I Wish for Change*
“This book offers smart, practical advice that will help every parent reset household expectations for what success really means.”
— Gregg Behr, co-author, When You Wonder, You’re Learning: Mister Rogers’ Enduring Lessons for Raising Creative, Curious, Caring Kids
