When someone sends you a private message, you'll receive a notification at your personal email address letting you know that there's a message for you the next time you login - unless you've opted out of those notifications in your Email Preferences.
Just click the link in your email or log on to Classmates® and go to your Classmates Inbox to view any private messages you have received.
All unread messages are considered new until you've viewed them. If you don't see any recently received messages in your Inbox, scroll down to check for any older messages you have not yet opened, and make sure to check under the Notifications tab as well. Unread messages and notifications will have an orange dot next to them.