A teenage mother refused to become depressed about her life situation.

Andr?a Smith, mother of ten-month-old Jahquesai, was the youngest student in the Bermuda College?s associates degree E-commerce programme this year.

Andr?a completed her GED in November at Teen Services and because her grades were so high, was immediately accepted into the freshman year at the College.

The former CedarBridge Academy student decided that now, more than ever, she needed an education.

?Before I would just skip school,? she said. ?I didn?t care.

?I had missed my final exams because I was sick and the school said I would need a sick certificate.

?I couldn?t prove it and I had to repeat S1 (senior one). I was doing the exact same work as the year before and I was bored, so I just never went to class.

?The work at the College is easy, I thought that doing university work was going to be hard, but it isn?t and now I just want to finish my associates degree.?

At the moment 16-year-old Andr?a not only has to study and go to class mornings and evenings, she also has a part-time job.

And she receives help from Financial Assistance for nursery bills.

?Sometimes while I am studying my grandmother has Jahquesai and other times he just creeps around as I do my homework,? she said.

?In the mornings my grandmother helps by getting him bathed, she gives him breakfast and takes him to the nursery.

?I get up later and the day starts again.?

Despite the additional responsibility Andr?a does not regret her decision to have had the baby.

But to other teens she said: ?Wait until you are in a financial position and have your education before you have a baby.

?I am lucky because my family help out a lot, but bringing up a baby is not easy.?

Andr?a was aware of the different forms of birth control and how to use a condom, but she said she did not use any form of protection.

?When my period didn?t come on, I went to the doctor,? she said, ?When the woman said I was pregnant I was already eight weeks, which is kind of late.

?My parents were disappointed, but I wanted to have the baby,? she said.

?I never thought about the fact that I would have a child.?

The baby?s father is now 18 years old and he is in prison.

Director of Teen Services Michelle Johnson said Andr?a was always keen and no trouble.

?She was always bright and could always do what she had to do,? said Ms Johnson. ?But something changed. It was like she had a new energy.

?It is good she has people to encourage her.?

Deborah Smith said she was proud of her granddaughter?s accomplishments

?It?s good that she didn?t give up on her education,? said Ms Smith.

?Many girls who have babies young, go out to work to take care of the baby, rather than work and study like Andr?a.?

When asked if she would have more children in the near future Andr?a said it was not an option.

?I wouldn?t get pregnant again in a hurry,? she said, ?I?ll wait until I am older, married and financially secure before I do it again.

?I want to be able to send Jahquesai away to college.?