Benedict College students in Columbia won’t be back on campus for more than a month after Thanksgiving

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Students at Benedict College are heading home for Thanksgiving, but this year they won’t return to campus for more than a month.

The college is shifting to virtual instruction after the holiday, meaning classes will finish online, and in-person learning won’t resume until January.

The extended break is part of Benedict’s planned academic calendar for the 2025–2026 school year. After Thanksgiving, students complete the final stretch of the semester virtually.

"Our faculty members review the academic calendar with their classes to ensure that all students are fully informed of the 2025–2026 academic schedule,” a representative for Benedict said in a statement to News19.

On campus, students shared mixed feelings about the long stretch away.

"After Nov. 25, everybody goes