Using the messaging inbox drawer

The inbox is where all your conversations live. This guide shows you how to access and use it effectively.

Access your inbox

1. Look for the message icon (speech bubble) in the top navigation bar
2. Click to open the messaging drawer
3. View your conversations

Inbox overview

The inbox drawer shows:

• Conversation list – All your message threads
• Student or group name – Who the conversation is with
• Unread dot – A small dot appears next to unread threads
• Timestamps – When the last message was sent

Conversation types

Individual conversations

Shows the student’s name and avatar. Only between you and that student.

Group conversations

Shows the group name. All group members can participate.

Read a conversation

1. Click on a conversation in the list
2. The full message thread opens
3. Read through the history
4. Type a reply if needed

Unread indicators

New messages are highlighted:

• Badge count on the message icon shows how many threads have unread messages
• Small dot appears next to each unread thread
• These indicators clear automatically when you open the thread

Find conversations

To find a specific conversation:

1. Open the messaging drawer
2. Scroll through the conversation list
3. Click on the student or group you’re looking for

Manage conversations

Mark as read

Opening a conversation marks it as read automatically.

Find older messages

Scroll up in a conversation to see older messages.

Start new conversation

To message someone new:

1. Go to their profile (student or group)
2. Click Chat
3. A new conversation starts (or the existing one opens)

Real-time updates

The inbox updates in real-time:

• New messages appear immediately
• No need to refresh
• Notifications update the badge count

Inbox organization

Conversations are sorted by:

• Most recent activity – Latest activity at top

Note: There is no separate inbox page – all messaging happens inside this right-side drawer.

Best practices

Check regularly

Review your inbox daily to stay responsive.

Clear unread indicators

Open conversations to keep your inbox organized.

Scroll to find conversations

Conversations are sorted by recent activity, so scroll down to find older ones.

Mobile access

On mobile devices:

• Same inbox functionality
• Responsive design adapts to screen size
• Touch-friendly conversation selection

Troubleshooting

Inbox not loading

• Close and reopen the drawer
• Refresh the page
• Check your internet connection
• Clear browser cache if persistent

Missing conversations

• Scroll down the list – conversations are sorted by recent activity
• The person may not have messaged yet
• Try starting a new conversation from their profile

Messages not appearing

• New messages arrive automatically via real-time updates
• If the drawer feels stale, close and reopen it or reload the page

What’s next?

• Send messages – Start conversations
• Notification settings – Customize alerts
• Dashboard overview – Navigate the app

Need help?

Issues with your inbox? Contact support and we’ll assist you.