Back to School and New Term Cards

Back to school and new term card ideas

September resets everything: new class, new timetable, new commute, sometimes a whole new city. A card on the first morning does more than any pep talk, especially for the ones pretending they're fine about it.

Here are new term and first day messages for children, teenagers and students heading off to university, plus small gifts that fit in a bag: pin badges, keyrings and prints for a new room.

First day of school messages

  • Good luck today. You're going to be brilliant, and we'll hear all about it at teatime. Shop this card
  • New shoes, new class, same excellent you. Have a great first day. Shop this card
  • Be kind, be brave, and ask if you're stuck. Good luck. Shop this card

New term messages for teenagers

  • New term, fresh start. Do the work early and thank yourself in May. Shop this card
  • Good luck this term. Nobody expects perfect, just keep turning up. Shop this card
  • You've handled harder than this. Go on. Shop this card

Starting university messages

  • Good luck at uni. Call occasionally, eat something green. Shop this card
  • New city, new people, same you underneath. You'll be great. Shop this card
  • Enjoy every bit of it. We're proud of you already. Shop this card

Good luck cards

Cards for first days, new terms and fresh starts.

Got To Be In it To Gin It (Good Luck Card) Got To Be In it To Gin It (Good Luck Card) £3.75 A funny goodbye greeting card featuring the bold text 'Adios, Bitch' in a stylish, playful font. Adios, Bitch (Spanish-themed Goodbye & Good Luck Card) £3.87 See You Later, Alligator (Funny Good Luck Card) See You Later, Alligator (Funny Good Luck Card) £3.75 Good luck greeting card featuring an illustration of crossed fingers for luck in a new job or exam. Good Luck Card Featuring Crossed Fingers £3.87 'Rock On' hand gesture good luck card, ideal for a new job or congratulations. "Rock On" Good Luck Card £3.87 Good Luck With Traveling Greetings Card Good Luck With Traveling Greetings Card £3.87 So Long, Farewell Good Luck Card So Long, Farewell Good Luck Card £3.75 Retro typographic art print poster with the quote Good Luck Babe in a bold colourful font on a plain background. Good Luck Babe Poster £8.00 Good Luck For Your New Life in Dubai Card Good Luck For Your New Life in Dubai Card £3.87 Good Luck In New York Moving Away Card Good Luck In New York Moving Away Card £3.87 New job greeting card for a colleague with the supportive text 'Good Luck In The New Job - 5 Star Colleague'. Good Luck In The New Job - 5 Star Colleague (New Job Card) £3.87

Small gifts for a new term

Badges and keyrings for a bag, lanyard or new set of keys.

Round white enamel pin badge with the retro text "Honorary Gilmore Girl", pinned onto a denim jacket. Honorary Gilmore Girl Pin Badge £4.00 A red heart-shaped enamel pin badge featuring 'xoxo' written in the centre, shown against a neutral background. Xoxo Heart Pin Badge £4.00 A circular white pin badge featuring the inspirational quote 'She believed she could so she did' in elegant black typography. She Believed She Could So She Did Pin Badge £4.00 Enamel pin badge featuring detailed pink cowgirl boots and a bright red cowboy hat on a plain background. Cowgirl Boots & Hat Pin Badge £4.00 A rectangular black and white enamel pin badge featuring the iconic Parental Advisory Explicit Content warning logo. Parental Advisory Explicit Content Pin Badge £4.00 The Office Dunder Mifflin Paper Co Pin Badge The Office Dunder Mifflin Paper Co Pin Badge £4.00 What Would Dolly Do? Pin Badge What Would Dolly Do? Pin Badge £4.49 Granny Panty Club Hilarious Pin Badge Granny Panty Club Hilarious Pin Badge £4.00 Girl Power Pink Heart Pin Badge Girl Power Pink Heart Pin Badge £4.00 Charming Pigeon Pin Badge Charming Pigeon Pin Badge £4.00 Not a Hugger Pin Badge £4.00 Life Happens, Coffee Helps Small Pin Badge Life Happens, Coffee Helps Small Pin Badge £4.00

Where to shop next

Frequently asked questions

What do you write in a first day of school card?

Keep it short and confident. Name one thing they're good at and tell them you'll want to hear about the day afterwards.

What is a good small gift for someone starting university?

A print for their room and a keyring for the new keys both cost little and get used daily.

When should I order for September?

Order in the last fortnight of August so the card arrives before the first morning.