The COVID-19 pandemic took a massive toll on higher education as schools were forced to completely shut down campuses and hundreds of thousands of students had their education interrupted without warning.

For adult Mississippians considering finishing their degree, this might seem like the worst time to return. But what if we told you that things have actually taken a turn for the better? It’s difficult to believe, but it’s true!

Here, we’ll take a look at how the pandemic has actually improved higher education and how the C2C Program can help you take advantage of these benefits.

The pandemic’s silver lining

Mississippi’s higher education was rattled by COVID-19 leading schools to make major changes to become more accommodating for students through the pandemic and beyond. It might sound counterintuitive, but colleges have actually changed for the better in many ways over the past year.

This is especially true for adult learners who can always stand to benefit from increased support and flexibility. Let’s explore some of the ways higher education has become more accessible for nontraditional students.

How colleges have changed for the better

Online classes

Virtual learning is nothing new as Mississippi colleges have been offering online courses for years. However, the pandemic has drastically increased the rate at which schools are building their online infrastructures. This is leading to a greater variety of online courses and improved quality overall for a more holistic online learning experience.

This rapid change will have a long-term impact by making eLearning more accessible to Mississippi learners. This is excellent news for adult students who have to finish their degrees around busy schedules. And with 73% of students preferring to have completely online courses moving forward, it looks like online courses are here to stay.

Fully online programs

Online courses are helpful, but some adult learners need even more flexibility. If you’re balancing a ton of responsibilities alongside school such as working and raising a family, an online degree program might be just what you need to succeed when returning to school. Fortunately, colleges have become more accommodating through the pandemic by offering fully online degree programs.

Whether you want to pursue an education in business, healthcare, science, or any other subject, you’ll probably be able to find a community college or university offering an entire online degree program in that field. This makes it possible for adult learners to earn a degree whenever they have time and wherever they’re located. Plus, experts expect to see schools investing more money into online degree programs moving forward so there will be even more options in the future.

Virtual tutoring

It’s convenient to have a class or degree program online, but what happens when you need some help? Nobody makes it through an entire course without facing at least a few challenges. But most adult learners don’t have the time to stick around after a class or wait for office hours to receive assistance from a professor.

Luckily, the pandemic has motivated many schools to offer virtual tutoring services to give students the support they need to succeed in their courses. Some schools offer group assistance while others provide one-on-one tutoring. What’s even better is that these virtual tutoring sessions are completely free, helping you save money. 

Night & weekend classes

Every adult student has different learning preferences. And those who perform stronger through in-person learning will also see some advantages moving forward. Despite the growing trend of virtual education, on-campus classes aren’t going anywhere.

In fact, colleges and universities throughout Mississippi are even expanding their class times to accommodate non-traditional students who are busy during the week. At many campuses, you’ll be able to attend night and weekend classes in person to get the face-to-face learning you crave without having it conflict with your schedule.

How careers have also changed for the better

The pandemic’s positive impact isn’t limited to higher education. The professional side of things has also become more accommodating for adult learners. Most notably, there’s been an increase in work-from-home and virtual internship opportunities.

If you’re working while in school, you’ll have more time and flexibility to keep up with your classes while still succeeding at work. Non-traditional students will also benefit by having more job and internship opportunities with location not playing a limiting role. It’s a win-win situation!

A C2C Coach is your connection to these benefits

It’s clear colleges have become more accommodating to nontraditional students through the pandemic, making it an ideal time to return to school. But how can you make sure you take advantage of these benefits? That’s where C2C Coaches come into play.

Through the C2C Program, eligible students get paired with a personal coach who will act as their main support system during their return to college. These experts know the ins and outs of Mississippi universities and community colleges and can point you in the right direction no matter what you need.

If your C2C Coach isn’t sure about something, you can rest assured they’re going to find the answer for you quickly. These committed professionals even helped C2C students succeed through the pandemic. They can help you handle anything during your return to school!

The program built for your college success

The C2C Program is a one-of-a-kind initiative specifically designed to help adult learners just like you successfully return to school to complete their degrees. Everything about the program is catered towards adult Mississippians who have a dream of completing their education. After enrolling in the program, you’ll get connected with a C2C Coach who will support and guide you through the entire journey from enrollment to graduation.

This dedicated coach will help determine the quickest path towards degree completion based on your previous college experience (which is more valuable than you realize!) and academic goals. Plus, you might even be eligible for the C2C renewable $1,000 grant to help you cover the cost of tuition and other expenses.

Complete the C2C survey app and connect with a C2C Coach today. You’ll be one step closer to taking advantage of all the benefits being offered by schools across Mississippi.