Information for newly admitted students

We are updating this content frequently.  Please check in often for updates. 

Welcome to the School of Graduate Studies at Trent!

Orientation is a key part of your preparation for studying at the graduate level at Trent University and is a great opportunity to connect with new graduate students from Canada and around the world.

Our team at the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) is so looking forward to meeting and welcoming each of you. We hope in the future to be able to welcome you in person but until that time we have developed a number of virtual events and resources that will prepare you well to begin your studies. Throughout August, there will be targeted resources and events planned which will offer information on a variety of topics including registration, becoming a Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA), health insurance, finances, everything you need to know as a new international student, student services and more!  Some events will be offered in a presentation format while others will be a drop-in style session with ample time for Q & A to ensure that all of your questions are answered.
*All sessions except for the Drop In events will be recorded and posted soon after the event takes place.

Official Orientation Events
Useful Resources & Events for all new grad students
Are you an International Student?
Will you be a GTA?
Will you be studying in the sciences?

Two of the key events that ALL students should plan to attend are:

Official Orientation Events:

1) SGS Team Welcome and Overview to all Orientation Events
Aug 5th from 10 am - 11 am
Register here
This event includes a welcome and introduction to the School of Graduate Studies team as well as an overview of all scheduled orientation events and available resources.

2) Official Welcome Orientation
Aug 26th from 10 am - 11 am
Register here
This event includes a warm welcome from President and Provost and receive useful introductory information on Traill College, the role of the Research Office and how TGSA can support you throughout your time as a graduate student at Trent University.
We look forward to welcoming you to Trent and all that we have to offer!

Please be sure to carefully review this page and plan to attend (and register for!) all events that would be useful to you. Also, please remember to check back often as additional resources are added over the coming weeks as we prepare to welcome you in September!

In addition to the events hosted by the SGS, many of our programs will also be providing program-specific orientation events in late August and early September. Your program will communicate with you directly about any program specific events.

Useful Resources & Events for all new graduate students

Review your Offer of Admission

Take time to carefully look over your offer of admission and understand the details of your offer. Confirm that any outstanding conditions have been met to finalize your entrance to graduate school.  Review your finances and understand your funding and your costs. 

Registration

Registration for 2021-2022 year opens Aug 1, 2021.  Students have until Sept 10th to select and adjust their fall term classes. 

Drop in sessions for students who have questions about registration on the following dates:

• July 29th from 12 pm – 2 pm
• Aug 3 from 9 am – 11 am
• Aug 5 from 2 pm – 4 pm
• Aug 12 from 12 pm – 2 pm
  Registration links coming soon!

Resource:  Presentation on Registering for Classes and Term

Students can obtain their TrentU card through the card office.

Student Services

Trent has a wide range of services to support graduate students and we are pleased to offer a session that will cover topics such as mental health, accessibility, academic skills & integrity and Black Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) resources.

Event: 
Aug 23rd from 10 am - 11:30 am:  Presentation by Nona Robinson, Associate Vice President Students - Register here

Resource: Campus Resources and Services 

Health Benefits / Student VIP

Graduate students starting their program in September 2021 are billed Health & Dental coverage within their posted fees. The option to OPT-OUT is available for those with proof of alternative coverage. 

Event: 

• Aug 24th from 1 pm - 3 pm: Presentation by Student VIP (provider of health coverage) - Register here

Resource: 
Understanding Health & Dental Benefits
Student VIP website

Library Services

Resources: 
The “Library Instruction 2021-22” course is a stand-alone Blackboard course to introduce students to library resources and the process of scholarly research. The library can also offer in depth workshops for topics not covered by the introductory Blackboard course. Information about the course, as well as other instructional services, is available at: https://www.trentu.ca/library/help.
Leganto integrates copyright fair-dealing assessment, library acquisitions, access to Omni resources (including articles and videos), external links, and uploaded files allowing you to take care of all your course-related library requests in one place. Leganto can replace or augment Blackboard for providing readings and allows the library to facilitate reliable access for students across courses.  For further information: Leganto 

Trent Graduate Student Association 

The Trent Graduate Student Association (TGSA), the student-run organization representing the close to 800 graduate students at Trent.  The GSA promotes, advocates and represents our members’ academic, political, social and cultural interests.  Representatives of the organization will be participating in both our Aug 5th and Aug 26th sessions providing students an opportunity to meet and interact with them as well as learn more about the many social events they have planned in August.

Events: 

• Aug 5th at 10 am:  SGS team Welcome and Overview to all Orientation Events - see registration link above
• Aug 13th at 6 pm:  TGSA Meet and Greet Event - Registration Link
• Aug 18th at 6 pm:  TGSA Codenames Game Night - Registration Link
• Aug 26th at 10 am:  Official Welcome Orientation - see registration link above

Resources:
Website
Bursary specific pages
BIPOC pages

Social Media:
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Finances

There are all kinds of things to learn and understand when it comes to finances as a graduate student - from scholarships to funding to OSAP, we know you will have questions and we are here to help.  Meet Jane Rennie, the Finance Officer at our SGS welcome on Aug 5th, review the links posted below and if you have any quesitons, feel free to drop in to our general drop in sessions on Aug 12 and 19th.

Events:  

• Aug 11th at 2 pm:  Financial Aid presentation with Affordability Coordinator - Registration here
• Aug 12th from 1-3 pm:  General Finance Drop In Finance Officer including Q & A opportuntiy - Registration link coming soon!
• Aug 19th from 11 am - 1 pm:  General Finance Drop In with Finance Officer including Q & A opportunity - Registration link coming soon!
• Sept 1st from 9 am - 12 noon:  Scholarship Information Session with Finance Officer - More details coming soon

Resources:
Graduate Credit Refund

Traill College

Traill offers Trent University students a welcoming space to study, or relax, in the university college tradition. Named after nineteenth-century author and naturalist Catharine Parr Traill, the College has forged a unique identity as Trent’s downtown location.  Home to the Canadian Studies, Cultural Studies, English and History MA programs as well as a number of undergraduate programs and the continuing Education program. 

Events:

• Aug 5th at 10 am: SGS team Welcome and Overview to all Orientation Events - see registration link above 
• Aug 26th at 10 am: Official Welcome Orientation - see registration link above

Resources: 
Traill College website
Brief Overview of Traill College
 

Are you an International Student?

Pre-Arrival Checklist for grad students

Events: 
Safe arrival in Canada Webinars where you can learn more about current immigration regulations, preparing a quarantine plan, when to arrive etc. 

• July 28 at 8:30 am
• Aug 11 at 8:30 am
  Register here
  (live sessions which are not recorded)

Meet the international team and learn more about Trent International and the services they provide, immigration as an international student and health insurance.

• Fri, Aug 20 from 8 am – 12 noon ET - Register here
• Sun, Aug 22 from 8 am – 12 noon ET - Register here 
  Fri, Sept 17 from 8 am - 12 noon ET - Register here

(register for only one session as each session covers the same content)

Applying for your Social Insurance Number:
Join this session with Service Canada to learn more about applying for a Social Insurance Numer and protecting your personal information.  

• Aug 10 at 10 am - Register here
• Sept 15 at 2 pm - Register here

Resources: 
International Sessions & Events
Additonal Sessions & Events (some more relevant to graduate students)

UHIP

The University Health Insurance Plan is mandatory health insurance for all international students. 

Resource:  UHIP website

Will you be a GTA?

As a GTA for the first time, we are here to support you and provide you with tools and information you need to feel confident in your role.  A joint presentation between the SGS, CUPE II and the Centre for Teaching and Learning will give an overview of your role as a GTA, instructions on completing payroll paperwork and resources to help you succeed in your new role.

Event:  TBD

Resources: 
Centre for Teaching and Learning
CUPE website
CUPE II Resource
CUPE II Log Sheet
More coming soon!

Are you a Science Student?

Representatives of the Sciences will provide an overview of resources available to graduate students including required safety training modules.  Background information presented will be important to your research time here at Trent and provide some details on what resources are available and who to contact.

Additionally, the Manager of Animal Care will provide attendees with an introduction to the culture and expectations for working with live animals at Trent, whether it is lab or field based.

Event: 
Aug 11th at 10 am - Register here 

Resource: 
Information for Students in the Sciences
Sciences website
More resources coming from Research and Innovation office!

If you have any questions about Orientation or any of the events listed above, please email graduate@trentu.ca