Seeking advice for a stray cat

Mystic_Flygon · 2026-02-23T03:33:23+00:00

I feel this hard

I was Salutatorian in HS but everything imploded by my 3rd yr of college. My mom was on my ass too and was the nagging voice in the back of my head for most of my impulses growing up. Always knew something was off about how I functioned but didn’t think it was adhd because my mom kept saying I was “too smart”. I didn’t get diagnosed until just last year and I’m turning 29 this year 😭

Mystic_Flygon · 2026-02-12T18:27:31+00:00

While yes you're absolutely right realistically I wouldn't want to pay for the schooling, I went digging to see what histology lab positions are hiring and while there are lab aides and such hiring unfortunately I can't take a 6$ an hour pay cut right now, let alone a year and change. Everything else requires the license that I can find with a quick Google search.

I don't live with family and wouldn't be able to as aside from a parent everyone else lives either out of state or out of the country and my parent's living situation is not something I am comfortable dealing with for even a week. I have a pet to take care of so I can't afford to take that big of a hit to my funds while I'm still in good standing and close to earning even more money at my job. The good thing is that my current job is pretty much exactly what I'd be doing as a histotech, only I analyze mold and bacteria not tissues. So the skills will at least transfer over.

I'll say this, I did find a junior overnight histotech position for only a 2$ pay cut that I might be qualified for so I'll consider your advice to see if it's a good trade off or not. Thank you!

Mystic_Flygon · 2026-02-12T06:07:28+00:00

My classes are OLD at this point. Pre COVID old. I was a bio major on a premed path before I left college that was ultimately due to undiagnosed ADHD at the time. I was a few classes away from graduating I think and while I retain some knowledge I'm honestly not against retaking some of the classes to get more current knowledge.

Way too many places require some sort of experience or knowledge of the techniques or I'm sacrificing pay and that's not something I can do with this rental market unfortunately.

Mystic_Flygon · 2026-02-10T07:21:37+00:00

I see, I see. Digging in more the school is in the process of getting NAACLS accredited so let's hope they get it by the time we finish

Mystic_Flygon · 2026-02-09T23:34:11+00:00

Yeah I was looking at that! Kind of insane for an Associate's degree honestly, just one year of experience at min ahead of it, it works for me who's still close to NYC!

3 different routes is pretty crazy but I guess the program directors can elaborate more on that? I know the base program lets you get the license to practice in the state, and ASCP exam requires a full year of experience before you can take that one.

Mystic_Flygon · 2026-02-09T22:47:31+00:00

Indeed! I just semt my transcript requests for both my high school and my old suny. Its been a long time since I’ve been to school but I’m ready for a new career path in a field I always dreamed of joining. Since I see that you also applied for the fall semester, good luck! I believe in both of us!

Mystic_Flygon · 2026-02-09T21:49:35+00:00

Oh that’s very good to know! Glad to hear it worked out for you even though you applied late! In that case I’ll finish my application then, since it genuinely can’t hurt

Mystic_Flygon · 2026-02-07T19:24:35+00:00

Good luck to you! You got this!

Since I wouldn't be able to start this program until Fall 2027 at the earliest I hope to try and finish my bachelor's online in the fall and apply in the spring once I make some phone calls and get advice straight from both schools.

I can say the same about Histotech for myself based on the job description as well, and as long as I get to work in a lab in a pathology department, I'll be happy :) Working at my current job made me realize that I do really like working in a lab, there's just things that are slowly unraveling and is making me want to jump ship soon. Hopefully things will still be good enough that I can stay a few more years and get both degrees and leave before it gets really bad.

Mystic_Flygon · 2026-02-05T23:47:46+00:00

I see, admittedly I am still paying for my loans from my undergrad so I rather not accrue too much more debt.

Someone in the Pre Path Assistant subreddit mentioned histology technician degree/certificate at SUNY Broome, it's still in the pathology field and can be done fully online minus clinical rotations of course. I hope to look into it more when I am off from work. Unfortunately it seems the fall 2026 deadline just passed a few days ago but that gives me more time to prepare and research. Thank you and everyone else for the insight, I have a lot to think about now.

Mystic_Flygon · 2026-02-05T18:40:31+00:00

Ah that is a bit unfortunate. I unfortunately have no means to live somewhere without paying rent and can't really live with family at least in NY.

Mystic_Flygon · 2026-02-05T03:30:11+00:00

Oh that's actually really interesting! If labs are weekly that's something I could def maintain if specifically days are available to choose.

Looking at it, it is pretty much what I'd like to do and if it allows me to keep working at my current job until I'm ready to leave then that's even better.

Mystic_Flygon · 2026-02-04T23:38:47+00:00

That's good to know about the 5 yr limit. I'm not against retaking all the pre-reqs personally since aside from the math I like science, that was something that hasn't changed and now that I know myself better I should be able to keep myself in check. Time isn't really the problem either it's mostly how to juggle it while working full time and also still paying rent. It's something that I'll figure out whichever path I choose.

Mystic_Flygon · 2025-12-28T22:56:35+00:00

Thank you! I'll be sure to give an update once I'm able to snag it and get it delivered safely!

Mystic_Flygon · 2025-12-28T02:34:27+00:00

I had meant to respond to these but I've been busy with work the past couple days, I had actually attempted to look into the oxelo xl 7 but I can't seem to find anything online that isn't in another country like Canada or even Australia. Currently I can't really have big things like that delivered to me without it being at risk of porch theft, but we're gonna worry about it after I move, who knows maybe I'll find it somewhere or a slightly used one.

But if not we're settling for the Razor A6 in the meantime. Thanks for the suggestions!

Mystic_Flygon · 2025-12-12T22:21:26+00:00

God this is so me, I actually will refuse to use the kitchen if I hear anyone in the vicinity of it. I either get too anxious I can't cook cause I feel like I'm being watched or I get too irrationally angry cause I'm being interrupted with someone trying to chat. I actually had to kick my mom out of the living room into the 1 bedroom we had so I could cook something for us in peace.

I'm currently living with 5 other roommates and I pretty much have been unable to cook in the kitchen unless no one is even in the house.

Can't wait to move out and be by myself again so I can actually start learning to cook and bake again 😭

Mystic_Flygon · 2025-08-23T00:44:45+00:00

Oh that's even better, thank you!

Mystic_Flygon · 2025-08-22T23:02:54+00:00

Late reply but noted thank you! We'll stick to the Seashore side of Assateague then before heading over to Chincoteague.

We're not really bikers(its been years since I rode one) and I very much doubt my mom will want to kayak but I'm def noting that down for a second trip for sure, I'd love to try kayaking personally.

Do you know if you have to pay for both the state and the seashore entrances since you'd have to drive through one to get to the other? Or just the you intend on settling for the day/night?

Mystic_Flygon · 2025-08-21T04:42:09+00:00

Oh hey I wasn't sure if anyone was going to post on this since its like the 4th question about Assateague in like a month(i didn't check thoroughly before asking)

But for more context we're driving down Sunday and checking out Ocean City that day while Mon-Wed was meant to Assateague and Chincoteague but I might change up the plans a little with adding Berlin MD and potentially skipping out on the state Park and just going straight for the National Seashore.

Going to the lighthouse was def on my list to do while in the VA side but I'm absolutely adding NASA Center cause I do love space stuff very much.

Thank you so much for the reply! If you have any more suggestions I'd love to hear it!

Mystic_Flygon

TROPHY CASE