Academic Skills and Academic Skills Durham instructors work closely with graduate students to help them develop as scholars and writers, as well as teaching assistants. Graduate students can book individual appointments to discuss writing projects and project management, attend a variety of webinars on research and writing, participate in a weekly writing group, and access a robust Sharepoint site with a suite of tools and guides.

The Academic Skills’ graduate webpage has a list of workshops and services tailored for graduate students. Many services are also offered virtually and are available to graduate students at both the Peterborough and Durham campuses. 

Hosted by Traill College, this long- running, student-led symposium focuses on graduate student research and considers the intersections between science and humanities. Presenters are assessed by a panel of peer judges over the course of the series until one presenter is chosen to present at the final event taking place in the spring – the Symons Gala! Participants in this series receive an honorarium, develop skills in research communication, public speaking, interdisciplinary engagement, and critical discussion, and have the opportunity to be matched with a mentor to talk about careers, future pathways, and advice for life after Trent. 

3MT® presents masters and Ph.D. students with the ultimate challenge: to explain their complex and highly specialized research and ideas to a general audience in three minutes or less. 3MT® is a valuable opportunity for graduate students to strengthen their communication skills by practicing how to clearly and concisely present complex research and receiving feedback and guidance from  peers and professional staff. The winner from Trent moves on to compete at the regional – and potentially national – competition. 

Traill College provides the Trent Teaching Commons with logistics and presentation support for the graduate teaching assistant training, held in the Jalynn Bennet Amphitheatre and various other spaces at the College.  

The annual Writing Retreat – hosted in-person and online – offers graduate students a focused, supportive environment to make meaningful progress on major writing projects while learning practical strategies to write more effectively and sustainably. Through structured writing time, skill-building workshops, and access to Academic Skills instructors and library experts, participants gain tools to increase productivity, strengthen organization, and build writing habits that extend well beyond the retreat. Snacks to fuel writing are provided! 

All graduate students are eligible to enroll in the Colleges Certificate Program, run by Gzowski College. To complete the certificate, students attend six programs or events within three streams:  

• Community Engagement and Career Readiness
• Community Engagement and Leadership, and  
• Cultural, Community and Indigenous Engagement.  

Participation in a certificate program encourages participation at guest lectures, academic workshops, networking events, and career expos. Use this program to make the most of your time at Trent, and to network with faculty, community members, and other students outside of your research labs and classrooms. 

Every September there is Orientation programming at Traill and on Symons campus to welcome new and returning graduate students, connecting them with peers, faculty, staff, future mentors, and the campus resources that will support their success. 

Shared meals are a staple of the collegiate way. Tables come alive with conversation and connection. This spirit is reflected in a robust range of offerings from all colleges, including breakfast clubs, luncheons, cooking classes, and Traill’s free bi-weekly Sunday Dinner.  

Graduate students have a dedicated space in Scott House that they can access 24-hours a day – the perfect place for marking, writing up your thesis, or reading. 

Senior Common Rooms (SCRs) are exclusive spaces for graduate students, staff and faculty, to meet and work. With keycard access, graduate students can access SCRs at Traill College, Lady Eaton College, and Otonabee College. Free snacks and coffee often available, too! 

Traill College provides and maintains designated offices for graduate teaching assistants each year, assigned by the graduate departments.

There are many kitchen and cooking spaces across the colleges that are available to graduate students, including:

• Traill College SCR and The Trend, and Second Floor Wallis Hall
• Gzowski College Jake Thomas Room
• Otonabee College SCR and OC Commons
• Lady Eaton SCR