Photo by Tim Britton

The streets are empty, deserted by the students who normally reside on them.

It's eerily quiet. No music blaring out from the open windows, no familiar chatter from people congregating outside their houses; nothing. This is Portsmouth without the students. No hustle or bustle of young people going about their business.

It's a completely different atmosphere. As a student who has recently moved here as a permanent resident, it's amazing to see the change between term time and holidays.

The city is lost without the vibrant buzz of students, like an abyss. For a place which has one of the largest student populations in the UK, it's clear to see and feel the presence, or rather non-existent presence that is left when it's deserted. Personally, I hate it. It just isn't the same.

No popping round to your course mates' house when you're bored, or just want a cuppa, no bumping into someone you know around campus, nada. Going out at night is like going into unknown territory.

The environment is a total contrast: constant fights, an increase in police patrol and certain unease about venturing somewhere on a non-student night without your usual crowd of friends. However, saying that, it gives you the opportunity to see Portsmouth in a different light.

Exploring the unique shops of Palmerston Road and Albert Road, finding hidden little gems of restaurants at Old Portsmouth, or just taking time to relax and stroll along the promenade from pier to pier in the brisk sea air.

It certainly makes a change from where I come from, Northampton, where there is nothing remotely interesting to explore. So for the meantime, I'm happy to call Portsmouth my home, even if I am crying out for the students to come back!