Students are more likely to spend money on books than booze, a survey suggests.
According to a poll by Credit Confidential, in their first month of university students spend an average of £65.43 on alcohol and £76.34 on books.
The figures also reveal new students are watching the pennies when it comes to socialising. First year freshers spend on average £40.93 on alcohol during the first few weeks of university while those in their third year splurge on £65.24 worth of booze in the same period.
First year students also appear to be more studious than their third year counterparts, forking out £86.59 on books during the first month while the latter part with £73.09.
The survey, which questioned 756 students and recent graduates, also found that nearly a third (32 per cent) have borrowed money from friends and family, while 13 per cent have credit card debts and 9 per cent have a bank loan.
More than two-fifths (42 per cent) said it is normal these days for them to have debt, while a third (33 per cent) admitted they were worried about what they owed.
Paul Lewis, vice president of Credit Confidential, said: "The continuing economic gloom is having an impact on how students spend their cash - with many freshers choosing to open their wallets at the bookshop instead of the bar.
"These findings fly in the face of the commonly held view of student life. With fees set to increase next year, and a tough job market facing new graduates, it may be that students are becoming more focused on their studies."
Third year politics student Anwen, who attends Cardiff University, offered an explanation for the difference in spending habits.
"When you first start university you get huge reading lists and the general message is you have to buy every single book on the list. But by the time you reach third year, you're a lot more in tune with what you actually need to buy and what you can just rent from the library.
"There's no point in buying a £20 book if you only have to read one chapter- it's just a waste of money."