Will a previous student visa rejection affect my vacation?

I am an American citizen who applied for and was rejected a prospective student visa to study in the UK in February this year. I was told by plymouth university that I didn't need to show any financial details when I apply, because I'd only need that for a tier 4, not prospective. I was rejected for not including them, if I had known I would've waited to apply with them. Now it's September and I want to use the money I saved up for tickets to visit the UK, just for a vacation, over this winter season. Will my previous visa rejection affect or stop me from visiting the UK as a tourist? I just want to spend Christmas with my partner. Thanks for any responses!

It shouldn't in theory and just explain it to them with full truth in additional information section or as cover letter. Also if they do stop u when entering uk they will interview and u can explain this all in that too.

Generally speaking I would advice u to go to the HO in US get some information as UKBA is very harsh and ready to take your money and no explaination why u were refuse so best would be to go there n ask u wanna be in London for christmast what do I need