Graduating from college is no easy triumph, it’s hard work, and a milestone worth commemorating. After years of exams and late nights, these unforgettable times have come to a (relative) end. Classes are almost over, finals are wrapping things up, and students are ready for that final walk on stage. Chloe Glenn is one of these shining star students, and her story is one you won’t want to miss.

“I’m looking forward to spending time on the projects that I want to spend time on and not just busy work. I want to make things that are going to make a difference in the world, not just in my portfolio.” Chloe Glenn

How did you know which was the right university for you?

I toured so many schools because I was so picky. I didn’t like any except for the University of Miami and immediately told my mom I was applying for early admission after the tour. I had a gut feeling I just had to trust and it turned out being the only school I applied to.

Did you ever change your major?

I originally got into the honors pre-veterinary program. I loved animals and thought that’s all you really needed to do. Although, it turns out that I’m really bad at science and the only class I’ve ever failed was that chemistry class during my first semester. I realized I hated this and during one of my general-ED classes I met a girl who would turn in all of her assignments with beautiful designs all over her papers. Since I was always really into art growing up I asked her how she learned how to do that and she said she studied Creative Advertising. I ended up switching my major to that with a concentration in Journalism and several minors related to this topic since I wanted to learn as much as I could during my time enrolled.

Why did you move away to college?

I wanted to move away from New York City to get a fresh start in a place where I could live a life outside of everything I had grown to know so well.

What aspect of being enrolled was most difficult for you to manage?

In the beginning, what was really hard for me was the fact that I wanted to learn so much more than what they were teaching me in class. To be able to take the classes I wanted to take, I found I needed prerequisites. I ended filling up so much of my time with that it led me to fall in love with my work. For a while, I became unbalanced when it came to my work-life ratio and in a sense, became a bit of a book worm. The hardest part for me was managing my time and learning to say no to different opportunities so I could be a “normal” person once in a while.

What did you love the most about attending college?

When I finally ended up with the major that I did, I met so many like-minded people. In high school I never really had that experience, everyone thought I was living my own world. I was always the girl alone in the art room. I just had so many ideas in my head, I needed to execute them. Once I was finally around the right people I was never thinking I was weird or different. Instead, I received encouragement in my creativity, and those people that did were the ones who ended up becoming my closest friends.

What’s the most refined advice you could give to an incoming freshmen?

The best advice I could give is to live life a little unplanned. When I first started school, I had this whole plan figured out; a scholarship and a 10-year track strategy. The second I let myself let go of the plan and let the universe guide me and take me where I should be going, I found the people I love the most and I learned more than I could ever learn in a textbook.

What’s one tool or practice that helped you a lot when it came to excelling in your studies?

Managing my time, so I could do a little bit of work each day and avoid cramming.

What’s one thing you wish you could go back and tell yourself before attending college?

It’s either, I wish I had taught myself how to do laundry better, or I’d tell myself to take a deep breath, and that everything is going be fine. I spent a lot of feeling anxious about things I couldn’t necessarily control. Learning to let go and trusting the process has helped me to maintain peace in my life even when things were crazy.

How do you feel about reaching this milestone?

I feel scared, happy, excited, relieved. Lots of mixed emotions especially because I didn’t think I was going to attend college. I hated the idea of school and having to sit and learn, I just wanted to get out into the world and create. Getting accepted into the only school I liked and making it this far is a surprise but also a great achievement.

What are you looking forward to the most about life after college?

Spending time on the projects that I want to spend time on and not just busy work. I want to make things that are going to make a difference in the world, not just in my portfolio.

Your journey has been a rewarding one, and what often seems like the end is only the beginning. We’re so excited to see where your path after graduation will take you! Whether you go off and travel, meet new friends, move for a job, meet a new love, our professional photographers in over 450 destinations will be sure and able to capture it all! Regardless of your ride, we’re sure it will be one for the books!