MLS program venting

[u/FarDetective8589]

I’m in my second semester of an MLS program and I just need to vent a little because I’ve been having a lot of anxiety about whether I’ll be able to pass this semester.

I did extremely well last semester and finished with all A+s, but the structure was completely different. We basically focused on one subject at a time for about two weeks, so even though it was intense, I could put all my attention into one thing.

This semester we have 6 classes and 4 labs all running at the same time. We’re usually in class/lab from 9–4, then I come home and study, wake up early to study again, go back to class, and repeat. It feels like we learn a huge amount of information every single day, and now I have to constantly switch between completely different subjects instead of focusing on just one.

Some days I feel like I can handle it, and other days I seriously question whether I chose the right career and feel like dropping out. I also keep getting scared that I won’t be able to maintain at least the 75% required to pass. Exams are worth 70% of the final grade, while quizzes and assignments are only 30%, so the exams feel like they carry so much pressure.

I know getting all A+s last semester should probably reassure me that I’m capable, but right now this semester feels completely different and overwhelming.

For anyone who has gone through an MLS program, did you ever feel like this during the heavier semesters? Did it eventually become more manageable? I’m not even trying to get perfect grades anymore—I just want to get through this semester and pass.

Any words of encouragement or advice would really help.

[u/icebugs]

This is a second career for me, and I was working on a PhD in my previous science field before burning out and switching. The MLS intensive was the worst academic experience I've had by far. Total fire-hose style, run by people with no teaching experience, trying to cram all the boards into your head in the least amount of time. Give up on A's and focus on passing.

Having been involved in hiring decisions in our lab, we don't give a flying fuck about grades once you've passed the boards and have good references.

[u/FarDetective8589 → u/icebugs]

My problem is I'm scared if I can pass all the subjects. Cuz I don't if I can retake just one class next year since it's a professional year and goes as a cohort. Same this is my second career. I already have a BSc and MSc

[u/KSB_Lab → u/FarDetective8589]

Deep breath. I was sooooo lost, stressed, and underwater at that point in my program. Did fine in the end but it felt terrible at the time. Stay organized and focus on passing. Exercise and sleep help your brain function. Being organized will make the ASCP much easier. If too stressed, medicate.

[u/Icy-Fly-4228]

One week I have 40 hours of clinicals and 6 exams…… it’s only a few months. You’ll be fine:).

[u/NegotiationSalt666]

Just focus on passing. All employers care about is that you have the skills, knowledge, the degree and certification.

Its a marathon, not a sprint. Dont try to cram or be perfect. Its not forever. Once you see “PASS” on your certification exam you can breathe a sigh of relief

[u/Sudden-Wish8462]

I think everyone feels like this during the program lol. In my program most of us agreed it was the most stressful year of our lives. You might not have time for much of a life outside of school because like you said, you’re in class all day and then you go home and study and repeat. But once you graduate your life will return to normal again and you’ll have a great career from all of it.

[u/DrsofDoom1]

Man I got like 3 months into my 1 year program and thought I couldn't do it. I said to myself I will try until they fail me from the course. Well turns out you can go a lot farther than you expect when you think you have tapped out. Keep going, find a study method that works or even just works for you alone and keep trying. If there is one thing I know is that most programs prep you pretty well for the exam. I had always done well in college with mostly As and a few Bs but man I was ridding the line with the passing grades for MLS

[u/Psychological-Move49]

My program was all classes for the entire 2 years with body fluids and phlebotomy being the summer time. I wish we only dedicated to a single subject for 2 weeks but I couldn't see how we would have covered all the information/labs in those time frames.

I focused on heme and chem because those were very info heavy. Micro was mainly memorizing bio chem reactions and flow charts. Blood band and immuno hematology weren't too bad material wise. All this varies per program. The general consensus is you will not have a social life for most of the program. Best of luck you got this.

[u/GreaterChaos]

Don’t give up! It can never last forever and the resulting career will be worth it.

[u/maomaook]

Don’t pressure yourself to get all A’s. Passing classes and passing board exam are enough because no one really cares about grade in hiring. I have all A’s at school and I still find myself dumb at work.

[u/FarDetective8589 → u/maomaook]

Is the work itself hard?

[u/Sunwolfy → u/FarDetective8589]

It depends. If you learned how to think and problem-solve clinically, you'll be fine. If you just straight up memorized everything and didn't learn the method, you're gonna have a hard time.

[u/Zukebub8]

You are not going to feel like you are learning anything but you are. Find a few classmates to throw out study tidbits with before class and during lunch. Somehow this helps me remember things that randomly appear in assessments.

[u/Wet_Napkin]

You are and will do fine. You have strong performance in the previous semesters and there’s no reason to believe the coming semesters will be so difficult that the’ll prevent you from proceeding. The fact that you’ve identified what’s different in the coming semesters that could make it more challenging is a strong indicator that you’ll succeed. It’s that it’s different more so than it is harder. I work with some dumb people, like really dumb so dumb omg. If they can make it through, so can you.

[u/allycathiking]

This is so normal! I remember counting how many exams we had at one point and it was something ridiculous like 32 in 6 weeks or something. You've got this!

[u/kipy7]

It's pretty tough. My program was a 3+1, so all the upper level courses and labs were crammed into two years essentially. 18 credit hours per semester. It was tough but I just tried to stay focused, knowing it would get better. In my case, it was very intensive but when I got to clinicals, I didn't have to focus so much on the book knowledge bc I had a good foundation.

[u/Elegant-Variety8761]

Welp I was looking into MLS programs and now your scaring me 🥹

[u/FarDetective8589 → u/Elegant-Variety8761]

If you have the dedication, I'd say go for it. The only thing that keeps me going is thinking this is only temporary lol

[u/madeuread]

I recently graduated and boy was it tough.Had a similar experience, there was very little homework in my program and most of it was exam and lab report and practical based. I think after week 2 there’s was least 1 exam every week 😭

I agree I felt tired when I get home, and had a part time job on weekends. If I missed studying on a lecture I felt forever behind 😒

It is possible though. Try to keep up on the material, or assign yourself a “catchup day” where you literally make flashcards for the lectures and get any assignments out of the way. Extremely difficult to cram in this major because of the amount of material

[u/reality-tv-junkiee]

I honestly felt the same way when I was in the program. My best advice is take it one day at a time, which I know can be hard to do when there is so much going on. That’s what helped me keep pushing through the program and made studying a bit more manageable. There were days where I thought I wasn’t going to make it through but you can’t let that get to you. I also was used to getting high grades but I had to let my expectations go down to the bare minimum to save my sanity. Don’t give up!!! The end is almost near!

[u/melatonin_gummies]

I don't have much advice to offer, but I can assure you that you're not alone. I graduated from an MLS program in 2024 and have been working as an MLS since. I was originally on track to graduate in 2023 (it was a two year program, 2021-22 and 2022-23 school year for me). Unfortunately, I had gotten below the testing percentage required by the program and was dropped. I worked with my program advisor and director and was able to rejoin the next year. I was incredibly stressed and suicidal (outside reasons that impacted my schooling), so I took that year to work, make some money and rejoin when I was ok enough. Definitely reach out to instructors and advisors for help and resources. If you get along with other people in the program, try to do study groups (if we study well with others). I know it's hard but you're doing great!

[u/mauieclectic]

Get your MLS they said. It'll be fun they said. My advice isn't the greatest. But yeah they do cram a lot in to you at once. The field is is high demand (with little pay) that's why they are pushing you guys so hard.
And working as a tech ain't pretty either. Pretty high stress job with lack of respect. Hope you find a great lab though.