Today we’d like to introduce you to Chloe Guzman.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Up until September 3rd, 2018 my life is what I considered “stable”. I grew up in a supportive household where I was always pushed to do my best. Because of this, I excelled in all aspects of my life. I spent hundreds of hours volunteering with my therapy dog taking him to visit the elderly and special needs children, eventually winning junior volunteer of the year for my outstanding work with the organization. Throughout my high school years, I also participated in four years of varsity cross country, where I pushed my body to the limit running 60 miles per week.
Though I had devoted many hours to volunteering and running, my academics were always my top priority. I challenged myself every semester by taking AP classes, never settling for anything less than an A. Despite being this busy in high school, my social life still flourished, and I was even awarded the title of prom queen my senior year. While doing all these extracurriculars, I managed to find the time to play electric bass in my band Alone Together, playing amazing venues like the “Troubadour” and the “Whiskey A Go Go”. My crowning achievement during high school was getting accepted into my dream school, USC, as a music industry major, which led me one step closer to my career goal of working in the music industry. My life was perfect.
Things don’t always turn out the way I plan them, but I never expected my life would take such a dramatic turn. The summer before I was about to begin my freshman year of college, I found out that I was pregnant. It was September 3rd, 2018. College was just on the horizon and my thoughts were centered around meeting new friends, joining clubs, and surviving midterms. I didn’t feel pregnant, yet as I saw two lines appear on the pregnancy test, I knew my life would never be the same. I had always dreamed of having kids, but not at 18 years old. Telling my parents was one of the most difficult things I have done. Though shocked and disappointed, my parents remained my biggest supporters. Once the general shock subsided the main question was college. As a spring admit, I had been extremely eager to begin January, yet the thoughts of me being a trojan faded away. My dad had briefly brought up the idea of continuing my education at USC, living on campus for the spring semester, then commuting from home once I had the baby. It truly seemed like an insane idea as I was terrified of being pregnant on campus.
Though completely out of my comfort zone my parents and I decided that I would continue on with my education at USC and live on campus for the semester. I was 23 weeks pregnant when I started my classes and 38 weeks when I finished them. It was a rough couple of months balancing seven classes, growing a baby, and working however with lots of support around me I was able to finish the semester. My last day of classes was April 26th. Throughout that day, I started having short contractions but I was determined to finish my classes and move back home before my daughter was born. April 27th my beautiful daughter Gwendolyn Guzman was born. Talk about perfect timing.
I will return to USC in the spring of 2020 to continue my education. In the meantime, I will be focusing on taking care of Gwen and working. I will be sad to leave Gwen at home with my parents to attend my classes however I know that getting a degree will be the best thing for our future. Less than 2% of teen moms graduate from college but I refuse to be part of this statistic. Every day I am motivated to do my best so in 2022 Gwendolyn can watch me get my diploma.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The hardest part of being pregnant on campus was learning how to balance everything going on like preparing for my baby, my academics, and working. Though my professors were understanding, I was treated the same as any other student with my assignments, midterms, and finals. I had to pull all-nighters to study like all college students, except I was 35 weeks pregnant.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I define success as achieving the goals I set for myself. My main goal will be to graduate from USC in 2022. It’s a daunting task however, I am motivated by my daughter every day.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @chloe_guzman28
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt-YL3Iq20_OIkhErEkf9jQ
Image Credit:
Raquel Guzman
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