Guide to Ohlone Connections

By News Editors Amy Han & Cham Yu and Staff Writer Felicity He

Introduction

As MSJ students await the 3:17 p.m. bell to be dismissed, some of their peers sit in class at the Ohlone campus. What started off as a small cohort of John F. Kennedy High School students has grown into the Ohlone College Connections program. The program has recently expanded to include 32 high school seniors from across FUSD, including four MSJ students. The program splits the school day between MSJ and Ohlone for students to earn college and high school credits simultaneously. 

Cody Pang 

Senior Cody Pang learned about Ohlone College Connections through his counselor and decided that the program would give him a head start on his college ambitions. “The first time I ever considered graduating early was when my friend Srijith took the GED and attended Ohlone for his junior year. I also took into consideration that I would go to community college if I hadn’t been accepted into any universities I wanted to attend,” Pang said. He had taken a Precalculous course as a prerequisite for Calculus 101A at Ohlone over the summer, and enjoyed his experience.

That freedom of juggling college courses has given Pang a larger sense of responsibility.  Pang felt he had more time to pursue personal growth. “At Ohlone, my success or failures don’t stem from the tough academic environment, but from myself, my discipline, and my own motivation,” Pang said. 

Still, Pang has found the transition more manageable compared to MSJ courses. “It’s really chill and has brought up my mental health a ton,” Pang said. For Pang,  Ohlone College Connections has been a chance to take greater control over his education.

Anshika Jain 

Senior Anshika Jain had already decided that she wanted to experience college early before discovering Ohlone College Connections. After hearing about the program from family friends who participated in it, Jain registered in the program.

Jain had found the transition to Ohlone College Connections to be more relaxed than anticipated.  “I’m on top of my work for my other two classes and just making sure I get all my homework done on time. I’m understanding all the material and making sure I’m prepared for upcoming quizzes and tests,” Jain said.

Outside of class, she has been learning to organize her responsibilities without the structure of MSJ.  “I’ve just been overall kind of happier and more free. It’s been great,” Jain said. She has even picked up journaling in her spare time.

Avina Wong 

Senior Avina Wong is a committed member of campus leadership, juggling both airband practices and Ohlone College Connections. Wong first heard about the program as an underclassman, and decided to join when she learned that Ohlone offers classes that are more specific to her intended major with more flexibility. “It’s like a trial run of college. Not only that, I can manage my time more efficiently since no one is managing my schedule for me,” Wong said. 

Wong realized that learning attitudes are fundamentally different between MSJ and Ohlone when she began studying in the program. “Learning at Ohlone is based solely on what you want to learn. At Mission, a lot of things overlap, and it’s really easy to get overwhelmed,” Wong said. While she enjoys the freedom of program, she points out that successful students need a disciplined mindset to make better use of their time. “If you have discipline, can hold yourself accountable, and have a general idea of what you want to study in college, I definitely recommend this program,” Wong said. 

Megha Vashisht 

Senior Megha Vashisht saw Ohlone College Connections as an escape from her stressful high school experiences. “Towards the end of my first semester of junior year, I just really wanted to get out of MSJ,” Vashisht said. 

Immediately after enrollment, she noticed a difference between structured MSJ classes and college classes, with Ohlone courses more focused on pursuing students’ personal interests. “I feel like at MSJ you don’t learn how to learn, and you learn how to get good grades,” Vashisht said. With an adaptable schedule, Vashisht also has more time to socialize and plan out coursework in manageable portions. “[My friend and I] either go to Starbucks or we go to the second floor upstairs, where there’s a couch area, and we just stay and study there,” Vashisht said. 

Vashisht believes the most noticeable difference between MSJ and Ohlone is the professors. Instead of following a strict curriculum, they give students more freedom to make their own choices. “The professors — the ones I’ve met at least — are super friendly, and they’re genuinely passionate about what they teach and all the students that are taking the classes too,” Vashisht said. 

To Vashisht, the program is an opportunity for a fresh start. “It is very freeing,” Vashisht said.