If your student permission runs out soon, and you need to apply for more time using the FLR(S) form, make sure you get the application in before your current permission runs out.
This has always been important, but the Home Office has also always shown some leniency with late student applications. Not any more.
The Home Office is currently routinely refusing late student applications, unless the applicant last entered the UK with valid entry clearance as a student. This means that the last time you physically entered the UK, you were in your initial period of student entry clearance. It's fine if you are no longer in your initial period of entry clearance, as long as you have not left and re-entered the UK since then.
Of course, if you do an in-time application, you are fine.
