Navigate for Students

Navigate is your hub for advising, planning and staying on track. You can use it to connect with your advisor(s), schedule appointments, stay up to date on important reminders, and connect with different resources that support your academic progress.

Using Navigate

Navigate is your go-to tool for staying connected and supported during your time at Montclair. You can use it to schedule appointments with your advisor(s), tutors, academic coaches, and other support services. 

How-To Guides

If you're not sure where to start, use the how-to guides provided here for instructions on how to use Navigate. You can only access Navigate using your Montclair NetID and password through NEST.

  1. Log into NEST and click on "Academic Advising", then select the Navigate link.
  2. This will bring you to the Navigate home page and show you the courses you're enrolled in for the term. In the top right corner, you can select the blue "Make an Appointment / Drop-In" button.
  3. Select Academic Advising as the type of appointment you need.
  4. Select Advising and Registration to meet with your assigned advisor. Your advisor's listed availability will appear in calendar format, showing availability for the week. You can select a specific date using the pop-up calendar, if necessary.
    1. If you are scheduling a Teacher Education appointment, select Teacher Education.
  5. Choose how you would like to meet with your advisor using the Meeting Type drop-down menu. Options may include: In-Person, Phone or Virtual (Zoom). 
  6. Once all selections have been made, click Find Available Time(s) at the bottom of the menu.
  7. Your advisor's availability will populate in a calendar on the right side of the screen. You can toggle to different dates, if no availability is listed. Advising appointments can be scheduled up to four weeks in advance.
  8. Select an available appointment listed. In the comments box, please provide details about what it is you're seeking assistance with (e.g., registering for classes, changing majors). To proceed with the appointment scheduling, click Schedule.
    1. You are encouraged to check the two boxes at the bottom of the screen to receive notification and reminders about the appointment. An appointment confirmation will be sent to your Montclair email, which will include all details related to your scheduled appointment.

Depending on your college or school affiliation, drop-in advising may not be available on a regular schedule. While some offices may be available for drop-in advising regularly, other offices may only offer drop-in advising during peak advising times, such as during the Add/Drop period at the beginning of each semester, or during the week Course Registration goes live for the following semester.

  1. Log into NEST and click on "Academic Advising", then select the Navigate link.
  2. This will bring you to the Navigate home page and show you the courses you're enrolled in for the term. In the top right corner, you can select the blue "Make an Appointment / Drop-In" button.
  3. Select View Drop-In Times under "Other Appointment Options" on the right side of the screen.
  4. Select Academic Advising as the type of appointment, and Drop-In Advising as the Service.
  5. Once all selections have been made, click Find Available Time(s) at the bottom of the menu.
  6. Select your affiliated college or school, which will populate on the right side of the screen.
  7. Instructions are included on your college or school's drop-in page, if applicable.
    1. If the office you are dropping-in with is seeing students on a first come, first serve basis by the Next Available Advisor, select Check-in with First Available. 
    2. If the office you are dropping-in with permits checking in with specific advisors, you can select the advisor of your choosing.
  8. Once you have successfully checked in, you will receive a confirmation on your screen. Please note, wait times will vary and may take longer during peak hours. You will receive an email and/or text message with a Zoom link from the advisor when you are at the top of the queue.
  9. If for any reason you need to leave your place in the queue to see an advisor, please be sure to remove yourself by clicking Check Out on your Navigate home screen, located in the menu on the right.

Academic Advising

Academic advising is a collaborative process designed to help you explore your goals and make informed decisions about your academic journey. You're encouraged to meet regularly with your advisor throughout the year to discuss your progress, explore opportunities, and stay on track toward graduation. Together, you can create a plan for success and connect your academic choices to your personal, academic, and career goals. While your advisor provides guidance and support, you are ultimately responsible for making decisions about your education and future.

You can find out who your advisor is by logging into NEST and viewing your degree audit on Degree Works.

As a student in a major, your advisor can help you understand your degree requirements, plan your courses, and connect you with opportunities related to your field. They can also help you explore internships, research, campus involvement, and other experiences that support your academic and career goals.

Bloomfield College of Montclair State University students may receive academic advising services from a professional advisor or a faculty advisor within their respective major. Professional advising is available to all undeclared students and all Freshman students with less than 29 completed credits through the Center for Academic Advising and Career Education.

Whether you are exploring your academic and career interests, working towards meeting the admissions requirements of the College or School of your choice, or in the process of changing your major, the Discovery Program provides the support, guidance, and opportunities to help you forge a successful academic path at the University.

Students looking to drop their major and explore other academic pathways must meet with a Discovery Program advisor.

CLEP Advising helps you earn college credit for knowledge you already have by taking College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams. 

Through CLEP Advising, you can get support in understanding which exams are available, how those credits apply to your degree, and what score you need to achieve to earn credit at Montclair. Advisors can walk you through the registration process, help you plan when to take exams, and make sure your credits are properly evaluated and applied toward your academic program. 

To schedule a CLEP Advising appointment, select "I'm interested in taking a CLEP exam for credit" as the Service requested when making an appointment on Navigate. 

The University has a few programs to provide further support and academic advising for students admitted into select programs, including:

Academic Support

Academic support services are available to help you strengthen your skills and succeed in your courses. Through Navigate, you can schedule appointments for tutoring, academic coaching, and supplemental instruction through the Center for Academic Success and Tutoring, as well as support from Teacher Education for students preparing to apply or seeking guidance on program requirements and progress. These resources are here to help you stay on track and reach your academic goals.

Through the Center, you can receive support in specific courses through tutoring, participate in Supplemental Instruction (SI) sessions for challenging classes, or work with academic and peer coaches to build study strategies, time management skills, and overall academic confidence.

Appointments can be scheduled in Navigate.

Academic Success Coaches support you in building the skills and habits you need to do well in college. They can help you with things like study strategies, time management, goal setting, organization, and staying motivated throughout the semester. Unlike tutoring, they don't focus on specific course content, instead they help you strengthen your overall approach to learning and academic success so you can perform better across all your classes.

Academic Success Coaches for Specific Programs

Academic Success Coaching through the Center for Academic Success & Tutoring

Students pursuing Teacher Education are required to meet with an advisor first. If you are preparing to apply to the program or need support understanding requirements, you can schedule an appointment in Navigate under "Academic Advising".

Students currently enrolled in the Teacher Education Program should meet often with an advisor to track their progress and ensure they are staying on track.

Progress Reports and Alerts

Navigate helps keep you informed about your academic progress throughout the semester. If one of your instructors notices a concern, such as attendance issues, missing assignments or challenges with course performance, they may submit a progress report through Navigate.

Progress reports are typically submitted a few weeks into the semester and again as you near the end of the term, but instructors can share feedback or raise concerns at any time.

What Happens If I Receive an Alert?

If you receive an alert, don't panic. It simply means that an instructor wants to make you aware of a concern and encourage you to take action early. In many cases, a conversation with your instructor, advisor, or another campus resource can help you get back on track. This is an opportunity for you to improve.

Below are examples of alerts you may receive, along with steps you can take and resources that may be helpful.

Alert / ConcernDescriptionNext Steps
AbsenceThis concern is raised if your absences are impacting your grade or ability to pass the course.Follow up with your professor, find out what you have missed in class, talk with your advisor about ways you can address your class attendance.
Greater Participation EncouragedThis concern is raised if you are not demonstrating engagement in class.Change your behavior in class: ask questions, participate in discussion, show that you are engaged, follow up with your professor.
Missing AssignmentsThis concern is raised if you have not submitted assignments for class.Follow up with your professor, visit the Center for Academic Success & Tutoring, follow up with your advisor.
Poor GradesThis concern is raised if your grades on assignments, quizzes and tests are poor.Submit your missing assignments, reflect upon why your assignment was missing and create a plan, visit the Center for Writing Excellence or Public Speaking Resource Center for support.
Tutoring RecommendedThis concern is raised when your instructor suggests you seek tutoring for the subject.Visit the Center for Academic Success & Tutoring to learn more about what type of tutoring is best for you and how to schedule an appointment; you should also follow up with your instructor to determine where you can improve.