10 handy items every university student will be grateful to receive this year

Whether new and experiencing the lifestyle for the first time – or returning for another year – today’s students at university now have many overheads, with loans and fees, that relatives and family friends often want to help where and when they can.

However, it can be difficult knowing what to send and, more importantly, what students will want that will be useful.

Step in the team at My Parcel Delivery which, using its network of parents with children currently at university, as well as recent graduates, has compiled a list of the top ten handiest items every student will be grateful to receive this year– along with how much you can expect to pay for postage, just to help that bit more:

1) Railcard/bus pass

Having transport costs covered can help with savings on a daily basis and might mean students can afford to come home a little more often too – an added bonus, of course.

Cost to buy: It will be best to reference local travel companies and options. For example, Unirider in Manchester from Stagecoach costs £100 per term, whereas an Oyster card with some credit already added would, no doubt, be gratefully received by London students.

Postage: Passes are arranged electronically in most cases and posted by the issuing company so there shouldn’t be any associated costs.

2) Amazon e-voucher

Amazon’s e-vouchers are perfect for students as they can be used to buy books, stationery, or any tech items they need for their course.

Cost to buy: The cost is completely up to the buyer. With vouchers starting at 10p, it’s recommended you don’t send 10p.

Postage: Sending an e-voucher means there are no postage costs.

3) Socks and underwear

Items students may take for granted when living at home (like clean underwear) can quickly run out at university. There can often be a wait to use shared laundry facilities and, most likely, will rarely makes it to the top of the priority list.

Cost to buy: Go value at the supermarket, or go for a bit of underwear luxury from M&S.

Postage: Courier company myHermes charges from £2.99 plus VAT to send a parcel up to 1KG in weight, so it depends how big a supply you want to pack.

4) Student cookbook

They may not use it until their second year, but when they do decide to cook, students will be grateful to find money saving recipes, ways to use leftovers, and avoid waste, all the while ensuring they eat more than Pot Noodle, beans on toast, and takeaways. You can also give them a taste of home by writing up some of your own family recipes and sending these across too.

Cost to buy: The Hungry Student Cookbook, or various others from £1.99 at The Works.

Postage: Have the book shipped direct to them or, if you’re also sending your own recipes to make it that bit more special, buy a book and add your own notes, tips, and bookmarks to point them in the right direction.

Use the myHermes parcel shop drop off delivery service which you can use to send a parcel up to 2KG in weight from as little as £3.99 plus VAT.

5) Bicycle repair kit

For any students who cycle, this could be a lifesaver. For those occasions when they find themselves with a puncture and Mum and Dad aren’t close by to pick them up.

Cost to buy: £8.99 from Argos.

Postage: As with the cookbook, if your repair kits weighs less than 2KG then use the myHermes parcel shop drop off delivery service from as little as £3.99 plus VAT

6) Toiletries – shampoos, soaps, conditioner

Instead of letting students ‘scrimp by’ on budget items, give them that little bit of luxury with some premium shampoo, conditioner, soaps, shower gels and bubble baths.

Cost to buy: Varies – look for bulk buys and 2 for 1s in the supermarket.

Postage: A lot of toiletries are prohibited from being sent via courier, like aerosol cans and sprays. To be on the safe side and avoid your parcel falling foul of the restrictions, it’s probably a better idea to order the items online to be delivered direct.

7) Food shop

Treat this year’s students to a food shop on you, picking out items they probably wouldn’t splurge on, such as premium coffee, the biscuits you usually save for special occasions, and the type of herbs and sauces which you know will make average food taste ten times better.

Cost to buy: Up to you, depending on where you buy from.

Postage: If ordering direct from a supermarket, delivery will be free (depending on what you spend) and most supermarkets now offer free click-and-collect. If you’re putting together a food package yourself, be aware that perishable food items are prohibited from being sent by post, as are any liquids, including alcohol, so don’t package up any fresh food items.

Even with non-perishable foods, it’s a good idea to send them on an express service so your student isn’t waiting around going hungry. UPS offer next-day delivery for parcels up to 3KG in weight from £9.84 plus VAT.

8) Winter warmers – slippers, fleeces, blankets

Not all student digs were created equal when it comes to keeping warm during the winter. So slippers, onesies, and warm blankets will be a welcome addition as we head into winter.

Cost to buy: Primark is a great one-stop shop for winter warmers that won’t cost the Earth.

Postage: As with sending a supply of socks and underwear, myHermes offers cost effective delivery options with prices starting from £2.99 plus VAT for a 1KG package. If your parcel of winter warmers is a little heavier than this, try the UPS Access Point drop-off delivery service which starts from £8.99 plus VAT.

9) First-aid kit

When we’re at home, we take for granted the array of plasters, antiseptic wipes, and pain killers available in Mum’s bathroom cabinet. Every home needs a first-aid kit, so ensure students are prepared in case of any first-term accidents.

Cost to buy: If you’re packaging it up yourself, the cost will depend on the brands you choose to include, but a ready-made kit can be bought from around £6.99 at Boots.

Postage: You’ll find many drugs and medicines are prohibited from being sent via courier so if these are included in your kit, we’d advise buying online and having it shipped directly.

10) Ear plugs and an eye mask

There’s no telling how noisy housemates or other student neighbours will be. So, whether they’ve pulled an all-nighter studying away or are feeling the after effects of the night before, there will most definitely times when students just want some peace and quiet. A pair of ear plugs (or noise cancellation headphones, if you’re feeling generous) and an eye mask to block out the light will do the trick.

Cost to buy: From as little as £1.65, you can buy some earplugs on Amazon or, alternatively, noise cancelling headphones are available from around £134.99.

Postage: If you’re sending something expensive – like a pair of fancy noise cancellation headphones – it’s worth using a courier service that requires a signature from the recipient, like the Parcelforce express48 service, which starts at £9.99 plus VAT. This delivery service also includes £30 of compensation cover and you can pay a small fee for additional cover on your items.