Starting university: Tips for parents and families

30th August 2022, 10:10am in Lifestyle by Amy Newham

As we approach September, young adults across the country eagerly anticipate the start of their first semester at university. For some families, it might be an emotional time full of fond farewells, long hugs and a reminder to message them daily. For others, it will bring a sigh of relief! (Just kidding)

Moving to a university in the UK or abroad is a big adjustment for both students and families and there are some essential items you'll need to buy to make the transition easier. We've put together some ideas on how you can get your freshers ready for their studies and save some money. Plus, some tips on how to brighten their term time with a thoughtful gift through the letterbox!

Do a clean sweep of the house

You'd be surprised how often you'll say, "I forgot we had this", during a declutter. Make a list of everything in their bedroom, kitchen, etc., that could be useful for university life, such as pens, sellotape, and Tupperware.

Once they've put aside everything they want to bring with them, review your remaining items and see if you could sell some of them online. eBay is a great platform to sell secondhand clothes and furniture and could make them some extra cash. Perfect to put towards more essentials (or Fresher's Week).

Compare prices online

Before they click the 'Buy Now' button for a brand-new textbook, have they looked elsewhere to see if they can buy it secondhand? Many graduates often sell their old books/anthologies online, such as Amazon and eBay, for a fraction of the price, which can be a real help when you have to buy a whole semester's reading list.

If they decide to sell and send their old school books, don't forget we offer fantastic low-cost letterbox services like Evri ParcelShop Postable, starting from £1.75 exc. VAT.

Sign up for discounts

As a student, there are many opportunities to save money. Aside from student codes they can get from sites like UNiDays or Student Beans, many other perks are available. For example, a 16-25 Railcard saves a third off the price of train fares- a big help if they live on the other side of the UK!

When your son or daughter sets up a student bank account, they will also typically receive incentives like discount cards, subscriptions, contents insurance, cinema tickets, and essential student gifts. It's best to compare the different benefits available to find the most relevant perks.

Forgotten something?

In the midst of packing, travelling and unloading, they are bound to have left something back at home. Anticipate the belated phone call gingerly asking you if you can send them their 18th pair of trainers, a tennis racket and some of their old coursework.

For those essential items, such as documents, you can send them with courier services like APC MailPack. Suitable for documents and small packages up to 1kg, APC aim to deliver the next working day after collection, from £5.85 exc. VAT.

Isn't it too large to send by courier?

Lugging larger items such as bicycles or televisions is not always feasible, especially when trying to fit all the other essential things in the car. Don't fret!

You can send packages up to 1100 kg with specific couriers. You'll save some petrol money, and their parcel will be delivered straight to their university hall or student accommodation in one booking! APC Next Day, Tuffnells Economy and CitySprint LWB are just some examples of the services suitable for large and heavy shipments.

Most university items are OK to send via courier but always check our prohibited and restricted list before you ship.

Send them a thoughtful care package

Once the fanfare of Freshers Week ends and studies begin, it's common for many students to feel homesick and miss some family comforts. Why not send them a student care package full of their favourite things and lovely reminders to let them know you're thinking of them?

Examples of items you could include in a gift box:

A good book – everyone needs a break from academic reading
Bookmark- so they can finally replace the receipt they are using as a marker
Post-it notes – helps with revision and remembering to buy milk
Tea bags – an essential, in our opinion
Comfort food – crisps, chocolate and sweets are popular choices- just nothing perishable!
A teddy- no one is ever too old for a cute soft toy
Family photos- so they know how proud you are of them

Care packages don't have to cost much money and can brighten their day, especially during midterms. With our reliable carriers like DPD, DHL and UPS that specialise in all types of parcel sizes and speeds, you can find the best service wherever you are sending in the UK. If they live overseas, we also offer numerous international courier with Landmark Global, FedEx and Evri. Plus, all our services are trackable so you can keep an eye on your parcel's journey through the delivery process. Plus, you'll know your care package has arrived there safely (incase they forget to tell you!).

Compare and book with Interparcel

We're always here to help keep families connected and sending university items is something we can help with.

You can get a quote in seconds and browse our range of UK and international parcel delivery services. Wherever they are in the world, you can always stay connected without breaking the bank.

Our customer service team is also available seven days a week to help with any parcel-related queries, so don't hesitate to get in touch!