But being a student and single mother hasn't been easy.

"I battle commuting with my daughter to daycare, and just trying to stay afloat," she says. "Especially in crunch time, like reading period."

At the same time, strangely enough, Ocon claims that having Bailey around has actually helped her work habits.

"Being a parent, contrary to popular belief, has made me a much more efficient time manager, and much more organized," she adds. "I've been getting much better grades."

Being a mother also tempers academic-related stress.

"No one individual paper or day is going to get me down," she says. "I'm very realistic about my ability to excel."

One of the best things for Ocon has been the way she has been received at Harvard, by students and other members of the University community.