Details for the Summer 2025 offering of The Bridge Program are currently in development. Want to be the first to know when more information is available? Add yourself to our mailing list.
Going to university can be exciting. You are living in a new environment, learning new things, meeting new people, and making new friends.
As exciting as all these new possibilities are, it can be a bit overwhelming. The online Bridge program is designed to give new students, like you, a solid foundation and a head start to successfully transition into your first year at Trent. The Bridge Program allows you to:
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see what university-level teaching and learning is like – and learn the foundational skills you need – by taking a first-year course.
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get ahead in your studies and lighten your first-year course load by completing a half-credit before the fall term even begins.
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get coaching from trained, upper-year mentors in key areas that will help you transition to your new social life.
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get to know the important resources that Trent has to support your learning and well-being.
With The Bridge, you’ll begin your fall term courses with more confidence and a greater sense of belonging. Research shows that success in first-year is key to a successful university experience – and a transition program like the Bridge can help. Here is what some former students had to say about their experience with the Bridge:
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“The Bridge Program may have been the best decision of my life so far. I have been given the opportunity to build strong friendships, understand university-level work, and really find myself.”
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“After completing The Bridge Program I have learned more about my study skills and how to retain information rather than just memorizing answers.”
The Bridge is offered as a 14-day online program, making it possible to participate no matter where you live.
If you have any questions about the bridge program, we can be reached at bridge@trentu.ca.
Learn more about The Bridge:
- Add yourself to our mailing list and be the first to know when more information is available about the Summer 2025 offering
- Bridge Info Sessions
- Dates and Schedule
- The Courses
- Registration
- Costs
- Student Accessibility Services
Bridge Info Sessions
TBD - Stay tuned for more information.
Dates and Schedule
The 2025 dates are still being finalized. An example of what the 2024 schedule looked like can be seen below.
The 2024 Bridge Program ran from Thursday, August 8 through Tuesday, August 27. Mandatory activities ran from 9am-12pm each weekday, with optional activities taking place in the afternoons and evenings. Please note that Wednesdays are designated study days with no class meetings.
Mandatory: 9am-12pm
2 Hours of Class - This will be a mix of synchronous (time spent together via zoom) and asynchronous (time spent working on your own) and will be led by your course instructor.
1 Hour Skills Lab - These sessions will help you to develop academic and personal skills that can help you succeed in university. Each skills lab focuses on a different skill and provides you with time to work collaboratively with other students to experiment with strategies for managing your time, work, and personal wellness.
Recommended/Optional
Lunch and Learn - presentation from various support programs at Trent
Academic Skills Assignment Clinics - for one-on-one support before major assignments (hosted by Trent's Academic Skills Instructors)
Social Activities - Hosted by Bridge Guides
Study Hall - Hosted by Bridge Guides
A Sample Day During the Bridge
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9-9:15am (EST) |
Class Meeting Via Zoom |
Each morning will begin with a synchronous class meeting to introduce asynchronous materials and activities and allow students to clarify instructions. |
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9:15-10:00am |
Asynchronous Activities |
Most class sessions will include time for asynchronous individual and group activities, such as engaging with a written source, working through a problem or data set, or planning for a debate. |
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10:00-11:00 am |
Class via Zoom |
Combining direct instruction with lively group discussion, these synchronous class meetings will allow students to debrief and build upon their individual learning and explore key course themes. |
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11 am (EST) |
Skills Lab Via Zoom |
In these synchronous sessions, students will be introduced to, and have the chance to practice, key academic and personal wellness skills that are essential to academic success. Examples of activities include creating a time management plan and study schedule, exploring stress management techniques, or developing study strategies for an upcoming test. |
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12:15 pm (EST) |
Optional Lunch and Learn or Group Meetings with Bridge Guides Via Zoom |
On some days, representatives from different support services at Trent will explain their services and provide students with a chance to ask questions about how to access supports on campus. On other days, our Bridge Guides, who are upper-year student mentors, will lead group discussions on key transition topics. |
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Between 3 pm-7 pm (EST) |
Optional Social Activity or Study Hall Via Zoom, and/or in-person |
On some afternoons or evenings, there will be opportunities to get to know other Bridge students through virtual events such as games nights and crafts nights. This time will also be used to introduce students to the Trent Campus through virtual tours and activities. On other nights, students can choose to join a virtual study hall during which they can work on assignments or check-in with their bridge guides. |
Students in The Bridge Program will have the option to take either UNIV 1003H or UNIV 1004H. Students will not be able to take both courses, as they will occur at the same time during the mandatory morning programming.
| UNIV 1003H Exploring Great Problems through Scientific Inquiry |
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Students explore three significant, complex, and challenging scientific problems from a variety of perspectives. Through this exploration, students strengthen their information seeking, group work, research, critical thinking, reflection, and presentation skills. Students are grouped in “problem teams” and experience a range of workshops that introduce different applications of scientific inquiry. |
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| UNIV 1004H Reflective Writing and Critical Engagement |
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Students explore various approaches to integrating knowledge and critical engagement with different texts and contexts through the processes of reflection, writing, and research. Through this exploration, students strengthen their skills in self-reflection, critical thinking, applied learning, information seeking, and academic communication. |
Final date to drop The Bridge Program courses with no academic penalty and receive a partial (80%) tuition refund: TBD
Final date to drop The Bridge Program courses with no academic penalty and no refund: TBD
Registration
Registration for the Bridge Program is currently closed. Want to be the first to know when registration opens for 2025? Add yourself to our mailing list.
For further information on The Bridge program, please contact us at bridge@trentu.ca
Costs
The Bridge program allows students to take one-half credit of their 5.0 first-year credits before the term begins. As such, The Bridge program costs are included in the tuition fees students pay for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Students who have applied for OSAP will automatically have their OSAP applications modified to include The Bridge Program fees and modified academic start date.
The specific cost breakdown will vary based on if students are International, or registered at Trent's Peterborough or Durham campus.
Costs for Canadian students (Ontario residents)
Costs for Canadian students (not Ontario residents)
Costs for International Students.
Student Accessibility Services (SAS)
Did you have an IEP in high school? Are you interested in knowing what services are available for students with disabilities?
Who is SAS and what do they do?
Student Accessibility Services (SAS) is a team of interdisciplinary professionals who provide support to students with disabilities through one-on-one advising, referrals to campus supports, and adaptive technology. SAS supports include:
- Developing individualized accommodation plans for registered students;
- Working with students to develop approaches and strategies that use students' strengths to help them engage with their coursework;
- Offering support through an Adaptive Technologist, using a hands-on approach which allows students to learn how their technology works and how it can be used in their studies;
- Directing and connecting students to appropriate campus resources.
Reasonable and Appropriate Accommodation
Trent University commits to providing reasonable and appropriate accommodations to students with documented disabilities. Recommendations from internal and external professionals do not guarantee specific accommodations. Following the review of diagnostic documentation to consider its appropriateness for supporting requested accommodations, Accessibility Advisors work in partnership with students to develop an accommodation plan that best meets the individual’s needs within the post-secondary academic environment.
Students can access SAS support prior to attending the Bridge program. Previous students of Bridge reported that this was extremely helpful having all their accommodations in place prior to arrival. Any student may have an appointment in Peterborough at SAS anytime throughout the summer, starting in May.
To learn more visit the SAS Website.