New research from Nationwide FlexStudent reveals the biggest self-confessed mistakes made by today’s students at university – with money worries topping the list far more than they did for previous generations.

Nationwide today announces it is bringing back its popular FlexStudent current account offer, which will once again offer new students £100 in cash plus £120 in Just Eat vouchers – a combined £220 package designed to ease the financial pressures of student life. This year, students will receive limited-edition debit cards, with three designs, issued at random

The offer comes as Nationwide FlexStudent research lays bare the everyday mistakes, money habits and housemate flashpoints shaping student life in 2026.

Top 10 mistakes at university – current students:

1. Not budgeting or tracking spending – 20%

2. Leaving assignments until the last minute – 19%

3. Overspending on nights out – 18%

4. Relying too heavily on overdrafts/credit – 17%

5. Not saving in advance – 16%

6. Not saving for emergencies – 16%

7. Spending the entire student loan in the first few weeks – 16%

8. Not asking for help from tutors/lecturers – 16%

9. Living with incompatible housemates – 16%

10. Letting living space become messy or stressful – 16%

Top 10 mistakes at university – parents:

1. Nothing in particular – 29%

2. Leaving assignments until the last minute – 17%

3. Choosing the wrong accommodation – 16%

4. Living with incompatible housemates – 16%

5. Overspending on nights out – 16%

6. Not saving anything for emergencies – 16%

7. Not budgeting or tracking spending – 15%

8. Not saving in advance – 14%
9. Not socialising with flatmates early on – 14%
10. Not living on campus in first year – 13%

Notably, current students are significantly more likely than parents to regret financial mistakes made, not budgeting or tracking spending  (20%), and overspending (18%) – a likely sign of the mounting cost pressures facing today’s student population, and perhaps evidence that today’s students are more attuned to their own spending habits than previous generations were at the same age.

However, there is a broad consensus between both generations that one of the biggest regrets is, or was, leaving assignments until the last minute (19% for current students; 17% for parents). They are also tied on not saving for emergencies (both 16%) and overspending on nights out (18% vs 16%).

Students spending up to £300 a week on food and drink:

The Nationwide FlexStudent research shows nearly four in ten (39%) of current students surveyed spend between £150 and £300 a week on food and drink – this is on top of tuition fees, rent and utility bills. It’s little wonder, then, that financial pressure and money-related fallouts rank so highly among today’s students, with food shopping and eating out now representing one of the biggest single costs of university life. In fact, 60 per cent of current students say that they are spending more than they had expected or budget on food overall.

The Freshers’ wish list: The research reveals that students are packing their home with an array of kitchen aids and gadgets.

Top 10 cooking appliances/utensils that current students took/bought for university:

1. Knives – 22%

2. Mini fridge – 21%

3. Airfryer – 19%

4. Microwave – 19%

5. Pots and pans – 19%

6. Toastie maker – 14%

7. Pasta cooker – 13%

8. Cafetiere – 11%

9. Grill (e.g., George Foreman) – 11%

10. Rice maker – 10%

Beyond the kitchen basics, the presence of air fryers, toastie makers, pasta cookers and cafetieres so high up the list points to a real foodie culture among today’s students – far removed from the instant-noodles stereotype of previous generations, and another sign of just how much students are now spending, and caring about, what they eat. Sitting just outside the top ten, nine per cent of current students cite a sushi mat as a must-have.

Tom Riley, Director of Retail Products at Nationwide Building Society, said: “Our research shows just how much more financial pressure today’s students feel compared with previous generations, which is why we’re continuing to offer real, practical support through our FlexStudent current account offer. Whether it’s an unexpected bill or a well-earned takeaway with new housemates, we want students to start university on the best possible financial footing. FlexStudent is available to new and existing students starting an undergraduate course, and can be opened via the Nationwide app or in branch.”