Determined Mom Completes College Exam While in Labor
One mom didn’t let labor pain get in the way of her passing her psychology test.
— -- A Georgia mom didn't let labor pains get in the way of passing her psychology exam last week and there's a photo taking the Internet by storm to prove it.
"I'm shocked by it [going viral]," Tommitrise Collins of Macon, Georgia told ABC News today. "I didn't even know about the picture until she [my daughter] was delivered. I feel like it motivates women -- all the responses I've gotten [said] how it motivated and inspires some women to start college again."
Collins, 21, said she went into labor at 1 a.m. on Nov. 12 and was brought to Coliseum Medical Center in Macon, but the Middle Georgia State University senior was scheduled to take a psychology exam online, which she was determined to complete.
"My due date was November 17 and I didn't expect to go into labor that night," she said. "I knew I had a test to take and it opened from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. My mom called and asked me 'Have you taken the test yet?' Even though I was hurting, I had to take the test."
In between three-minute contractions, Collins said she took and passed her test while her sister, Shanell Brinkley-Chapman, snapped a photo and posted it to Facebook, where it received over 15,000 shares and counting.
"This is what you call 'Strong Priorities,'" Brinkley-Chapman wrote. "Contractions 3 minutes apart and still takes her Psychology Test! You are going to be a great Mom baby sis!"
Middle Georgia State University confirmed to ABC News that Collins is a student at the college and completed the psychology exam.
Hours later, Collins gave birth to a healthy baby girl named Tyler Elise, born 7 lbs., 10 oz.
Collins said she'll be showing the picture to Tyler when she gets older and as for her education.
"She has no excuse not to do her homework," Collins said, laughing. "None at all."