Canvas FAQs for Students

Canvas is a web-based learning management system (LMS) where students can access course materials, submit assignments, participate in discussions, and view grades. Access to Canvas is provided once you are enrolled in classes through the Student Information System (SIS).

For best performance, use the most current or major update release of Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. Please review the following Canvas resource page for more information on browser compatibility, as well as computer requirements.

You can access Canvas using your MyReynolds username and password through the MyReynolds login page. If you need additional help logging in, contact the Student Technology Support Help Desk for assistance.

We recommend starting with the Canvas Help Menu, located on the Canvas Global Navigation. See this Canvas Help Menu guide for more details. The Reynolds Library also offers Canvas 101 for Students workshops throughout the semester. Please review the Canvas Student Guide for more information on Canvas.

If you don’t see your course in Canvas, try these steps:

• Check your registration: Make sure you’re registered for the class in the Student Information System (SIS).
• Look for holds: Contact Student Affairs at 804-523-5296 to check if there’s a hold on your account.
• Confirm the course start: Instructors must publish their courses at least 72 hours before the first day of class. If it’s within that window and you still don’t see your course, reach out to your instructor.
• Favorite your course: Go to your All Courses list in Canvas and mark it as a favorite to display it on your Dashboard.

Locate and click on your ‘Account’ icon in the top left corner of Canvas, then select ‘Profile.’ Mouse-over and click on the pencil icon on the profile picture icon next to your name. Select ‘Upload a Picture’ to upload a photo from your device, or ‘Take a Picture’ to use your device’s camera to take a picture. Please review the following Canvas Profile Picture guide for more details.

Follow this Canvas guide to personalize your various user account settings.

Canvas includes a set of default notification settings you can receive for your courses. You can customize your Canvas notification settings to fit your preferences, which only apply to you, not other users. Keep in mind that adjusting your default notifications may result in missing important information from your instructor, such as announcements, conversations, and other course activity. Follow the Canvas Notifications Guide to update your notifications settings.

The Canvas Inbox (also called Conversations) functions as Canvas’ internal messaging system. It allows you to send and receive messages with your instructor, individuals, groups, or your entire course. You can reach out to others in your course anytime. Learn more in the Canvas Inbox guide.

Instructors may include their contact information, including office hours, on the course Syllabus, found on the Canvas course navigation. They may also include it on the ‘Faculty Information’ page, found off of the course homepage.

You can submit online assignments in Canvas using several submission types. Instructors can choose what kind of online submissions they want you to use. Please review the following Canvas Assignment guide for more details.

Assignment comments left by your instructor are either located in the assignment sidebar, or in your assignment submission as annotations. Please review the following Canvas Assignment Comments guide for more details.

If your instructor uses Canvas Discussions, you’ll find them on the Modules page. To reply to a discussion, click the 'reply' button in the main discussion. To reply to another student’s post, if enabled by your instructor, click the ‘reply’ button under their post. Use the Canvas Rich Content Editor to add your comment. Click the ‘Post Reply’ button to post your response. Please review the following Canvas Discussions guide for more details.

To view your grades in Canvas, go to the course you want to check and click on the 'Grades' course navigation link located on the left side. Please review the following Canvas Grades guide on viewing grades for more details.

Assignment due dates will automatically appear on your Canvas calendar if your instructor has set them. Go to the Calendar in Canvas and notice the list of calendars on the right side. Make sure the box next to your course name is checked so its assignments are visible. Calendars that aren’t selected will appear in faded text. Then look for your assignments with due dates on the calendar. Please review the following Canvas Calendar guide for more details.

Yes, Canvas does have a mobile app specifically for students called the “Canvas Student” app and it is available for both Android and iOS devices. Please review the following Canvas Student App guide for more details.