Student Checklist
Eagerly awaiting your convocation date to arrive? Check out our detailed what to expect on the day of your ceremony section to get prepared!
Information on this page is for Durham ceremonies. If you are a student attending a Peterborough ceremony, please visit the Peterborough Convocation site.
Make sure you have everything in order, to graduate this year:
- Apply to Graduate
- Get Grad Photos Done
- RSVP to Your Convocation Ceremony
- Invite Your Guests
- Arrive at Least One Hour Before Your Ceremony
- What to Expect on the Day of Your Ceremony
- Unable to Attend Convocation?
- Check Out Your Alumni Perks
1. Apply to Graduate
You will not graduate and receive your degree/diploma/certificate unless you complete the Application to Graduate.
Graduation means successfully completing the requirements of your program. You must meet both the general university requirements and your specific program requirements, which are in the Academic Calendar. To ensure that you are on track to graduate, start with the Do It Yourself Degree Check, then connect with an Academic Advisor.
Undergraduate students must apply by APRIL 4, 2025 for their names to appear in the convocation listings (digital program and document on the website).
You can only complete the undergraduate Application to graduate once. For a helpful guide, please click here to view a short video on how to Apply to Graduate.
If you have any changes after completing it, or for more information contact registrar@trentu.ca.
Graduate-level students: trentu.ca/graduatestudies/graduate-program-degree-completion or contact graduate@trentu.ca.
2. Get Grad Photos Done
Graduation photos are a wonderful memento of your years of hard work.
You can take your own photos. Contact the Trent Durham Student Association (TDSA) to borrow regalia at admin@mytdsa.ca.
There is a contract in place with New Paramount Studios for graduations portraits. Call the toll-free: 1-877-677-1930. They usually offer sessions on campus.
Take a look at the Official Trent Convocation Academic Regalia document to see what regalia you will be wearing during the Convocation ceremonies, and to know which regalia to request from Conference if taking your own photos.
3. RSVP to Your Convocation Ceremony
You MUST complete the RSVP form by May 21 at 11:55 p.m. in order to attend your Convocation ceremony.
- If you applied to graduate, a profile has been created for you on the new RSVP system, Tassel.
- Check your email for a message from convocation@trentu.ca, which includes a personalized link to set your password.
- Once you've logged in, your ceremony will appear on your homepage. Click "Register" to begin the RSVP form.
- You can return to the site anytime by going to trentu.tassel.com and using your Trent email.
Note: Graduates completing a double major or a program that has two (2) ceremonies scheduled (i.e. Nursing & Business) will be able to view both options. Please only RSVP for the ceremony you plan to attend.
Need help with Tassel? You can find support at: trentu.tassel.com/support
Questions about the status of your application to graduate? Please contact the Registrar's Office at: registar@trentu.ca (undergraduate students), or the School of Graduate Studies at: graduaterecords@trentu.ca (graduate students).
4. Invite Your Guests
Durham convocation ceremonies take place in the Tribute Communities Centre, which is a very large venue, so there is no set limit of number of guests per graduates. While there is plenty of seating, having a large party sit in one row together is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Guests do not need to register and there are no tickets. An electronic invitation will be available for graduates to download and use, if they please in early 2025.
For more information on inviting International guests go to Guest Information.
5. Arrive at Least One Hour Before Your Ceremony
Arrive at the Tribute Communities Centre at least one hour before your ceremony with your student card.
Please leave bags or large purses with your family as there is no room for them on the stage. It is not safe for children to be on the stage so please ensure your guests can care for them.
6. What to Expect on the Day of your Ceremony
Arrival and Check-In
-
Please arrive at the Tribute Communities Centre at least one hour before your ceremony begins.
-
Enter through Gate 1 (main entrance), then proceed down the stairs or elevator. Turn right and follow the signs to "Gowning & Marshalling" in Rink 2.
-
At the Rink 2 check-in table, staff from the Registrar’s Office will ask to see your student ID or government-issued ID and provide your name card.
- Keep your name card with you at all times—you will need it to walk across the stage.
-
Do not fold or bend the card.
Gowning and Line-Up
-
After check-in, proceed to the far end of Rink 2 where volunteers will assist you with getting your gown and hood on.
-
You do not need to rent regalia—everything is provided.
-
-
Once gowned, marshals will line you up in the order you will:
- Enter the ceremony
- Be seated
- Cross the stage
-
Please follow the marshals’ instructions carefully as they organize the processional line.
Procession and Ceremony
- 10 minutes before the ceremony, marshals will lead you from Rink 2 to the hallway where the student procession will begin.
- Once you hear the bagpiper, the procession will move into Rink 1 (the main arena). You will be seated until your row is called to approach the stage.
Crossing the Stage
-
As you near the stage:
- A marshal will scan the QR code on your name card and direct you forward.
-
A second marshal will collect your card and hand it to the name reader.
-
You will cross the stage when your name is called.
After the Ceremony
-
All graduates are asked to remain until the ceremony concludes.
-
If you must leave early, you must return your gown to the Gowning & Marshalling area (Rink 2) before receiving your degree.
-
-
After the ceremony:
- Meet family and friends outside the Tribute Communities Centre (weather permitting).
- Return your gown to Rink 2.
- Collect your degree and Alumni Welcome Gift (gown return is required first).
Additional Reminders
- Please leave bags, large cameras, or large purses with your guests.
- Children are not permitted on stage, so please ensure your guests are available to care for them during the ceremony.
7. Unable to Attend Convocation?
You must complete the Application to Graduate to graduate, and receive confirmation from the Registrar’s Office, to graduate. If you are unable to attend Convocation, you will be granted a degree in absentia. Please email registrar@trentu.ca prior to Convocation to arrange to pick-up your degree or have it mailed.
You can obtain your Degree Certificate by visiting the Office of the Registrar after convocation with your student ID card; or sending a written request via your myTrent email account to registrar@trentu.ca. In the subject line, please note the term you graduated (January, Fall, Spring) and follow this example: “MAIL DEGREE – SPRING". In your email please include your name, student ID number, and full mailing address.
Take note that degrees will only be held for a period of two years, after which you must request and pay for a replacement degree. In addition, your degree and official transcripts will not be released if you have an outstanding balance owing to the University or have outstanding Library fines.
Although all degrees from the previous Fall and January are available at the Spring Convocation Ceremonies, they are also available after Senate meets, in the Fall and January for pick up or mailing for students who don’t wish to attend or wait until the Spring Convocation Ceremonies. Spring graduates may pick theirs up at Convocation or in person by email request after the week of Convocation.
Graduate Students please contact graduate@trentu.ca about obtaining your degree parchment.
8. Check Out Your Alumni Perks
You're a Trent Alumni now! Visit trentu.ca/alumni for information on benefits, services, programs and events offered to you for free!
NOTE: Convocation ceremonies are public events that are recorded in various ways including webcast, video and photography. The ceremonies will be live streamed on trentu.ca during Convocation and will be available to view after Convocation for the benefit of friends and family who are unable to attend in person. These images and recordings may be used for official purposes, such as promoting Trent University. If you have any questions, please contact kmaina@trentu.ca.