Young mom reflects on inspiring journey of juggling a college degree and motherhood: 'A strong mama'

Motherhood is a full-time job, so imagine someone trying to juggle a full-time college course with it. Sounds a bit challenging, but that's what this young mom did and it was all worth it in the end. Gladys Lo-Reynolds shared her journey in an Instagram video detailing how she pursued her university education while raising a young child and she sure is an inspiration. 

The video begins with the text overlay, "I was in my third year of university when I got pregnant." Lo-Reynolds admitted that she initially thought of dropping out, but ultimately decided to stick with it. Lo-Reynolds says in the video that she went back to university a month after giving birth. "It was really hard juggling being a young mum and studying full-time," reads the text overlay while the video showed a picture of her infant and a laptop.

She revealed that she went on to apply for an extra semester so she would not have to sacrifice time with her son. "The next two years, I took him to lecture with me," wrote the mom alongside photos of her carrying him in a baby carrier and holding him. She also shared that she took her son to classes with her and changed him in between classes.

Unfortunately, the child fell sick during her last semester of college. "We spent days and nights with him in the hospital," Lo-Reynolds shared in the overlay text. Photographs show Lo-Reynolds and her partner in the hospital with their son. The determined mom explained that she went to classes from the hospital and used to shower at the university gym. She apparently also finished writing her dissertation next to her child's hospital bed.

"After 2.5 years of both my boys' love and encouragement... we graduated together. I couldn't have done it without you," she wrote, concluding the video with a picture of her small family on her graduation day. The video went viral with more than 1 million views. It is captioned, "Could not have done it without you. Thank you for ALL THE LOVE from our fairytale video. So I thought I would share more of my young motherhood journey with you all making this video is getting me a little teary-eyed. I feel so lucky to have my beautiful boys always by my side @l_reynolds92."

Many in the comments section were proud of Lo-Reynolds for what she has accomplished. @karennguyenrealtor commented, "You're a strong and determined mom. You did so amazing and I'm glad you got such a supportive husband by your side." @angiecwakefield wrote, "I loved those days with Noah on campus - what a cutie." @aishwaryagedam13 shared, "Personally I think doing studies along with having kids is the most challenging of all... And I can imagine just how much you and your husband have gone through all ups and downs along with your beautiful child and finally achieved this success... Congratulations on this success." @luisa_justine said, "You’re such a strong mama and a wonderful role model to your son. Congratulations to you and the fam!!!" @vivian.nhan.ly commented, "You are my hero. My inspiration. Thank you for showing me that we women can do it."