Summer Connect 2026: New Student Orientation
Trent University’s Summer Connect programming offers an informative experience designed to help incoming students and their supporters feel confident and connected as they prepare for the transition to university life.
This year, Trent's Peterborough Orientation Team will be hosting two in-person sessions at the Symons Campus in Peterborough and three virtual webinars.
These Summer Connect sessions will help you:
- Feel confident and prepared for your start in September
- Meet fellow students and begin building your support network
- Explore the may ways to get involved with student life, from clubs & groups, athletics, collegiate events and leadership programs
On-campus sessions will kick off with a welcome session and connect students with their small group, giving them a chance to meet Trent staff and Fall-start peers. From there, students and their guests have the opportunity to explore campus with our Services Fair which will highlight key supports – like Housing, Financial Aid, Wellness, Athletics & Recreation, and the Colleges of Trent, and our Academics Fair that will connect you with faculty, staff and current students across the university.
In the afternoon, students will have the chance to choose from a variety of interactive sessions that outline what it’s like to study, live, and succeed at Trent. We will conclude the day with a Student Social and a Parents & Supports session.
Additional day-of details, including where to check in, park and eat, will be sent via email after registration. Please note that Pioneer Road is currently the only entry to and exit from East Bank. To learn more about Trent's newest college and residence developments, visit the Campus Projects Hub.
In-Person Summer Connect
Attend an in-person Summer Connect event and you are automatically entered in to a draw for a chance to win one of two $1,000 Trent Cash prizes!* Rules & Conditions apply, see below.
Summer Connect 1: July 10
Summer Connect 2: July 17
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Summer Connect Webinars
Join us online for additional Summer Connect sessions to learn more about Student Services, Academics, and your new home away from home.
| Title | Date | Time |
| Summer Connect: Student Services Panel | Wednesday, July 22, 2026 | 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. EST |
| Summer Connect: Thriving Academically | Thursday, July 23, 2026 | 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. EST |
| Summer Connect: Getting to Know Campus | Wednesday, July 29, 2026 | 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. EST |
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What to Expect at In-Person Summer Connect
Welcome to your first step into campus life here at Trent! Here is an overview of what your day on campus will look like
Check-in, Registration, & Optional Residence Tour
| Time | Location | Activity |
| 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. | Gzowski College/Enwayaang Building | Check-In with our Orientation Team. Get assigned to your group and make your way to our Welcome Session |
| 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. | Gzowski College/Enwayaang Building | Optional Residence Tours - see your new home away from home! Living in residence in the Fall and want to see inside your college? Join us for an optional tour of our 4 on-campus residences: Otonabee College, Gzowski College, Champlain College, and Lady Eaton College. LAST TOUR DEPARTS AT 9:15 A.M. |
Welcome Session
Kick off your day with our Welcome Session - meet fellow incoming students, hear from campus leaders, and learn what to expect for your day on campus.
| Time | Location | Activity |
| 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. | Otonabee College, Wenjack Theatre | Start your day by attending our welcome session. Here you will meet with your group and group leaders. You will be assigned to one of our Welcome Sessions based on your group assignment given at check-in. |
| 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. | Enwayaang Building, 114 | Start your day by attending our welcome session. Here you will meet with your group and group leaders. You will be assigned to one of our Welcome Sessions based on your group assignment given at check-in. |
Group Rotations
Connect with key student services, learn more about academics, and connect with your future peers as you rotate through three essential sessions that introduce you to key parts of campus life. Your group assignments will be given to you at Check-In.
Lunch will be available for purchase at the Lady Eaton Dining Hall. You are welcome to bring your own lunch with you if you would prefer. It is recommended that you bring it with you at the start of your day, as there will not be enough time to go back to your vehicle to get it. It is not recommended that you leave campus due to time restrictions to get to other activities. Please note, Trent Dining Halls are CASHLESS - only debit and credit are accepted.
| Time | Location | Activity |
| 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Trent Student Centre, Atrium Champlain College, Great Hall Lady Eaton College, Dining Hall | With your group and group leaders, you will have the chance to explore our Student Services Fair, Academics Fair and eat lunch together. Groups depart from the Welcome Session. |
Choose Your Own Adventure
Now it's your turn to customize your Trent experience! Select sessions that match your interests and needs.
Attend two 30-minute sessions, 2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. and 2:40 p.m. - 3:10 p.m.
| Session | Location | Departments |
| Thriving Academically: Study Tips & Resources | Otonabee College, 221.6 | Academic Skills |
| Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Creating Community Together | Enwayaang Building, 110 | Office of Student Affairs |
| How to Register for Courses | Otonabee College, 219 | Academic Advising |
| Career Planning Supports | Enwayaang Building, 108 | Careerspace |
| Alumni Social | Alumni House | Alumni Engagement |
| Housing Services | Enwayaang Building, 114 | Housing |
| Financial Aid - Understand OSAP, Scholarships & Bursaries | Enwayaang Building, 117 | Scholarships & Financial Aid |
| Tea at the Tipi | Tipi Traditional Space | First Peoples House of Learning |
| Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities | Enwayaang Building, 112 | Student Accessibility Services |
| Managing Stress: Wellness Resources on Campus | Enwayaang Building, 115 | Student Wellness Centre |
Parents & Supporters Information Session
| Time | Location | Activity |
| 3:20 p.m. - 4:05 p.m. | Enwayaang Building, 114 | Parents & Supporters will connect with staff members from the Office of Student Affairs, the Colleges, Student Wellness Centre and Financial Aid to learn about ways to support their student during the transition to University. Students will join a Student Social & Connection session taking place at the same time. |
Student Social & Connections
| Time | Location | Activity |
| 3:20 p.m. - 4:20 p.m. | Gzowski College/Enwayaang Building, Quad | Meet our Orientation Facilitator team, other upper year students and fellow Fall start students! |
Residence Tours
Living in residence in the Fall and want to see inside your college? Join us for an optional tour of our 4 on-campus residences: Otonabee College, Gzowski College, Champlain College, and Lady Eaton College.
| Time | Location | Activity |
| 4:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. | Tours depart from outside Gzowski College (at the same tent you checked-in!) | Optional Residence Tours - see your new home away from home! |
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Attend to Win $1,000 Trent Cash!
To celebrate your participation in Summer Connect, Trent University will award $1,000 in funding to one attendee from Summer Connect Session 1 (July 10, 2026) and one attendee from Summer Connect Session 2 (July 17, 2026).
Eligibility
- Participants must register for and attend an in-person Summer Connect session.
- Attendance at either Session 1 (July 10, 2026) or Session 2 (July 17, 2026) qualifies participants for the draw associated with that session.
- One winner will be selected by random draw from each session. Only participants who have checked-in to the event by 10 AM will be entered into the draw.
- To receive the award, winners must be registered in a minimum of three courses at Trent University by the September 2026 add/drop deadline.
Award Details
- The $1,000 award will be applied directly to the recipient’s Trent University student account and may be used toward eligible university charges, including tuition, ancillary fees, residence fees, and meal plan costs.
- The award has no cash value, is non-transferable, and will not be paid out directly to students attending another institution.
- Recipients must be enrolled at Trent University to receive and retain the award.
- If the selected winner is an offer-holder who has not yet accepted their offer of admission and confirmed their registration for September 2026, Trent University (Office of Student Affairs) will work with the recipient to confirm whether they meet the eligibility by the September 2026 add/drop deadline and if eligible will award the prize at that time.
- Winners will be contacted using the information provided during registration. If a selected winner does not meet the eligibility requirements, including registration in a minimum of three courses by the September 2026 add/drop deadline, an alternate winner may be selected.
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Connect with Us
Have questions about Summer Connect or Orientation at Peterborough? Don't hesitate to reach out at orientation@trentu.ca or 705-748-1011 x7888.
Be sure to follow Trent and Trent Orientation on socials!