Find help with Canvas, the tools used in your courses, common course questions, and campus support services.
Log In to Canvas
- Go to , or open the Canvas link in .
- Enter your My Citadel Portal username, followed by the student email domain.
Trouble Logging In?
- Wrong website: 91’s Canvas site is . A general web search for “Canvas” won’t reliably take you there.
- Forgotten password: The ITS Help Desk can reset or unlock your password. Call (843) 953-4357 or submit a .
Find Your Courses
Courses aren’t visible in Canvas until 12:00 a.m. on the first day of the term. If you can’t find a course after that:
- In Global Navigation, click Courses, then click All Courses.
- Find your course in the list.
Add Courses to Your Dashboard
Only courses marked with a star appear on your Canvas Dashboard. To add a course, click the star next to it in All Courses. A filled star means the course is a favorite.
- After you favorite at least one course yourself, Canvas automatically adds new published courses to your favorites.
- You can only favorite active courses.
If a course still doesn’t appear, contact your instructor. The course may not be published yet.
Canvas How-To Guides
These step-by-step guides from Canvas cover the tasks students do most often.
Assignments and Quizzes
Discussions and Messages
Grades and Feedback
Tools You’ll Use in Canvas
Your instructors may use these tools in your courses. Your syllabus and the Start Here module in each course explain which ones you’ll need.
- Canvas 91 app: Check announcements, due dates, and grades on your phone. For tests and major assignments, use a computer when you can.
- ReadSpeaker: Listen to course content read aloud. Select the ReadSpeaker listen icon at the bottom left of a course page. ReadSpeaker TextAid, in the left Global Navigation menu, can also read documents and websites aloud and lets you adjust reading speed and highlighting. See ReadSpeaker.
- Canvas Studio: Watch course videos and record or upload your own video assignments. See
- Turnitin: Some assignments compare your work with other sources to help you and your instructor check quoting, paraphrasing, and citations. See the Understanding Turnitin Similarity Reports page in your course’s Start Here module.
- Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor: Some online quizzes and exams require LockDown Browser, and some also use Monitor, which records you with your webcam. Install it before your first exam using the Installing LockDown Browser page in your course’s Start Here module.
- Zoom: Join live class sessions and virtual office hours. See Zoom.
- My Materials: Find your textbooks and course materials. Select My Materials in the left Global Navigation menu. See the .
Succeed in Your Courses
These tips apply to every course, whether it meets in person, online, or both, because all Citadel courses use Canvas.
- Log in often. Check Canvas at least every other day for announcements, messages, and due dates, even if your class meets in person.
- Plan your week. Use the Canvas Calendar and To Do list to schedule time for readings, assignments, and studying for each course.
- Communicate professionally. Write to instructors and classmates as you would in person. Use a clear subject line, be respectful in discussions, and reread your message before you send it.
- Ask early. If something is unclear or a technical problem comes up, contact your instructor right away instead of waiting until a deadline.
- Use your feedback. Check your grades and instructor comments in Canvas, and apply them to your next assignment.
- Check your course tools. Before your first online quiz or video assignment, make sure your browser, webcam, and microphone work. See .
- Know what’s collected. Some tools collect information to work, such as webcam recordings in Respondus Monitor. See Accessibility & Privacy Statements for Course Technologies.
Common Questions
Select a question to see the answer.
How do I make sure I don’t miss announcements?
Set your Canvas notifications so you get announcements, due date reminders, and grade updates by email or in the Canvas 91 app. In Canvas, select Account, then Notifications, and turn on notifications for Announcements so you never miss a message from your instructor. See
How do I see what’s due?
Your Canvas Dashboard shows a To Do list of upcoming assignments. You can also select Calendar in Global Navigation to see due dates for all your courses in one place. Always check your syllabus too, since some work may not appear in Canvas.
How do I contact my instructor?
Find your instructor’s contact information in the course syllabus. You can also use the Inbox in your Canvas course or .
How do my accommodations work in Canvas?
Accommodations are approved through Disability Services. Once they’re approved, your instructor sets up extra time or other changes in Canvas. If something doesn’t look right before a quiz or exam, contact your instructor right away.
Can I use AI in my course?
It depends on the course, and sometimes on the assignment. Check your syllabus and the Generative AI Statement page in your course’s Start Here module. If you aren’t sure whether AI is allowed, ask your instructor before you use it. For more, visit AI for Teaching and Learning.
What if I can’t find or open content in my course?
Contact your instructor right away. The content may not be published yet, or it may be set to open on a later date.
What if I can’t edit or delete my discussion post?
Some instructors turn off the ability to edit or delete discussion posts. If you need to change or remove a post, contact your instructor.
How can I avoid losing my work?
Save often. You can also draft your work in Word or Google Docs, then paste it into your Canvas assignment.
How do I know my assignment was submitted?
After you submit, the assignment page shows the word Submitted and the date and time. If you don’t see it, your work may not have gone through. See and
What if Canvas isn’t working correctly?
Try these steps:
- Use an up-to-date version of Chrome or Firefox. See .
- Clear your browser’s cache and cookies, then log in again.
- Try a different browser or device.
If the problem continues, or call (855) 443-5290.
What if I have a technical problem right before a deadline?
Take a screenshot of any error message, note the time, and email your instructor right away from your Citadel email account. Then or call (855) 443-5290. Try not to wait until the last minute to submit, so you have time to fix problems.
What if I have trouble during a quiz or exam?
Contact your instructor right away. During a Canvas quiz, don’t refresh the page, close the browser, or use the back button. If your exam uses LockDown Browser, install it and take any practice quiz your instructor offers before exam day, so you can fix setup problems early.
Where do I find my instructor’s feedback?
Open Grades in your course and select an assignment to see your score, comments, and any rubric your instructor used. Reading feedback before your next assignment is one of the best ways to improve. See
What happens if campus closes or there is an emergency?
Your instructors will continue your courses in Canvas. Watch for Canvas announcements and your Citadel email, and check Public Safety for campus alerts.
Getting Help with Canvas
Contact your instructor first about course content and submissions. For other Canvas help:
- Ask your instructor: Send a question to your instructor through in Canvas.
- Canvas Support chat: live, 24/7.
- Canvas Support hotline: Call (855) 443-5290, available 24/7.
- Tutorials: The has tutorials, videos, and resources on using Canvas and other online tools.
- CEITL: Email CEITL from your Citadel email account.
Campus Support Services
- Academic Advising: resources to help you reach your academic, career, and life goals through individualized advising
- Campus Ministers and Ministries: more than twenty campus pastors and ministry directors representing many faith backgrounds
- Career Center: support for reaching your professional goals
- Counseling Services: counseling through MUSC Health at 91
- : resources and research support from the Daniel Library, 91 Archives, and 91 Museum
- Disability Services: services, access, and academic accommodations for students with documented disabilities
- Public Safety: campus safety and emergency alerts
- 91 Success Center: academic coaching, the Mathematics Lab, subject-area tutoring, the Writing Lab, and Athletic Academic Services
Have a question? Contact CEITL by phone, email, or in person in Bond Hall, Room 363.