Focused Ga. Mom Completes College Exam While in Labor

A Macon woman was determined to take a college psychology test, despite the fact that she was in labor. On Thursday, November 12, 21-year-old Tommitrise Collins was preparing to deliver her baby at Coliseum Medical Center, but before that happened she had to take an online test.

Collins told FOX 5 News she could only take the exam on that day.

"If I'm not in too much pain, I'll take it," Collins told her sister, Atlanta resident Shanell Chapman. Collins said her plan was to handle as much pain as long as possible and when she took the test she was not on any medication.

"It took me 4-5 hours after the opening of the test to try to put the pain to the side and do it so I wouldn't have to do it later and I could enjoy my newborn," Collins said.

The Middle Georgia State University student finished the two-hour exam in about an hour and 30 minutes. While doing so, her sister snapped a picture that has since gone viral.

"This is what you call 'Strong Priorities'. Contractions 3 minutes apart and still takes her Psychology Test! You are going to be a great mom baby sis!" Chapman said on Facebook.

Chapman was supposed to travel to the Bahamas last week to celebrate her anniversary, but delayed the trip to be there with her sister.

Collins said even her nurse was shocked about her taking the test, but she was determined to finish... and good news, she passed! However, she wasn't satisfied with her first score so she requested to take the test over and ended up with a "B" on the exam.

After roughly 20 hours of labor, Collins delivered a healthy baby girl at 9:19 p.m. Tyler Elise weighed 7 pounds and 10 ounces. Collins said she has been loving every moment of being a mother and feels like it's the biggest blessing she has ever had.

"She is my life now, and the way I look at it is, she will always have me to depend on so my goals will not be put on hold. I don't want to just barely make it by, I want my child to live comfortably, and I want to show people that just because I am considered a young mother doesn't mean I have to be considered a bad mother."

On Monday, December 14, FOX 5 News spoke with Collins and she told us her little girl is doing great and is up to ten pounds! Ever since their story has been made public, the two can barely go anywhere without someone recognizing them from TV. Collins said she's been called an inspiration and those comments make her feel great.

"All I can do now is smile and tell God thank you," Collins said.

Collins said she refuses to let her 3.6 GPA drop. She will graduate in December of 2016 with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, which will be her second degree after completing an associates degree in criminal justice. Before moving home to Macon, Collins played basketball for Oklahoma State University but was forced to quit after tearing her ACL for the second time.

This is what you call "Strong Priorities". Contractions 3 minutes apart and still takes her Psychology Test! You are going to be a great Mom baby sis!