After nearly failing out of a state university for taking a few too many creative liberties in her psychology classes (and being dumped by her community college drop-out boyfriend), stress-eating, screenwriting Mia Hoover transfers to Chicago's Fillmore Academy, the artsiest and craziest of art schools. She joins her best friend Liz in the Television Department, also leaning to her sister Holly and other Fillmore friends for support. In her new surroundings, Mia attempts to navigate her way through the sea of artsy hipsters as she tackles school, relationships, and finding her own creative voice, only turning to chocolate and binge-watching Orange is the New Black when absolutely necessary.