Information for newly admitted students

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.

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?
Are you a Master of Management student studying at the Durham Campus?

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 
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
Recording of Official Welcome Orientation
This event includes a warm welcome from the 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 the 2021-2022 year opened Aug 1, 2021.  Students have until Sept 10 to select and adjust their 2021 fall term classes. 

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

• Aug 3 from 9 am – 11 am  
• Aug 5 from 2 pm – 4 pm  
• Aug 12 from 12 pm – 2 pm  
• throughout August upon request to graduate@trentu.ca (subject line: Registration Drop in)

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:
Recording of Orientation to Student Services at Trent presentation 

Resource: 
Campus Resources and Services
Student Services PDF presentation 

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. 
Please join us for a session which will cover the services that Student VIP covers, how to make a claim, how to add family, how to opt out as well as the Student VIP app.

Event:
Recording of Student VIP & Health Benefits Orientation event

Resource: 

Understanding Health & Dental Benefits
Student VIP website
Presentation slides from Orientation event

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 

Graduate Studies Services offered by Bata Library

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 5 and Aug 26 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 13 at 6 pm:  TGSA Meet and Greet Event 
• Aug 18 at 6 pm:  TGSA Codenames Game Night 
• Aug 20 at 6 pm - GTA event presented by TGSA & CUPE - informal event to talk about first hand experiences, provide advice and support 

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.  Review the links posted below and if you have any questions, feel free to drop in.

Financial Aid presentation with Affordability Coordinator

Events:  

• Aug 19 from 11 am - 1 pm:  General Finance Drop In - including Q & A opportunity 
• Aug 24 from 10 am -12 pm:  General Finance Drop In - including Q & A opportunity 
• Sept 23 from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm:  NSERC Fall 2021 Q & A session (doctoral (CGS D/PGS D) and postdoctoral (PDF) programs whose application deadline dates are imminent !

Resources:
Graduate Credit Refund
How to Make a Payment to your Account
Graduate Bursaries
Graduate Students & OSAP

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 graduate programs as well as a number of undergraduate programs and the continuing Education program. 

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. 

Meet the international team and learn more about Trent International, the services they provide, immigration information and more useful resources on becoming a Trent international student.

• Sept 17 from 8 am - 12 noon ET

(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 Number and protecting your personal information.  

• Sept 15 at 2 pm 

Resources: 
International Sessions & Events
Additional 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.

CUPE II and the CTL presentation

Event: 
Aug 20 at 6 pm - A more informal event presented by the TGSA and CUPE II to talk about first hand experiences, provide advice and support 

Resources: 
Centre for Teaching and Learning

CUPE website
CUPE II Resource
CUPE II Log Sheet

Presentation on Becoming a Graduate Teaching Assistant

Graduate Teaching Certificate 
Please carefully review all of the information contained in the CTL's website above. 
Graduate students who wish to complete the certificate program need to register for the virtual event on September 10 AND  email teaching@trentu.ca if they want to be included in the Graduate Teaching Certificate program.  
However, the event on September 10th is open to everyone, regardless if the students is completing the certificate program or not.  If they are in the program, the half-day session will count towards their requirements.  
Another identical, half-day session will be held in the winter with the date is to be determined.

Will you be conducting Research?

Join us at our Official Orientation on to learn about all things research at Trent University.  Vice-President of Research and Innovation, Cathy Bruce will provide an overview of the Research Office and how it can support you as a graduate student.

Resource:  Research at Trent Presentation Slides

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.

Science Facilities presentation
Animal Sciences presentation

Resource: 
Information for Students in the Sciences
Sciences website

Are you a Master of Management student studying at the Durham campus?

Students registered in the Master of Management program will find this final Orientation session extremely useful.  Representatives from the Durham campus will cover everything to make you feel comfortable on campus.  From library services to academic skills to academic advisors to athletics to counseling and student accessibility services, to student life to international - this session will cover everything you need to know about the Durham campus!

Event:  Aug 30 from 1 pm until 2 pm:  

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