The highlight in the calendar for most Australian school-leavers is the weeklong parties that take place in several locations all over the county, but primarily in Surfer’s Paradise, known as ‘Schoolie’s Week’
The highlight in the calendar for most Australian school-leavers is the weeklong parties that take place in several locations all over the county, but primarily in Surfer’s Paradise, known as ‘Schoolie’s Week’. The celebrations are a chance for kids across the country who have just finished their Yr twelve exams to let loose, dance, drink and generally let their hair down after the culmination of thirteen years of education. If you’re planning on celebrating Schoolie’s, before you book your Surfer’s Paradise accommodation and plan your outfits, read the tips we’ve put together to ensure that you and your friends have a celebration worth remembering, and not one you’d rather forget.
Alcohol
Obviously alcohol is going to be a big part of Schoolie’s Week celebrations, but there are precautions that you and your friends need to take to ensure that you drink responsibly. Crowd mentality, combined with the availability of a lot of alcohol, can lead to alcohol-related violence, crime, illness and injury. Dehydration during Schoolie’s week is another real threat, so if you are drinking alcohol, ensure you’re drinking a lot of water, as alcohol is likely to dry out your system even more. Combine this with the hot sun and you’ve got a recipe for real danger. Take care of your friends and make sure they are able to get home—while it may feel like you’re on the verge of adulthood, you experience with alcohol is relatively limited, and a mistake here could cost you, or someone you love, a lifetime of pain.
Sex
Another part of Schoolie’s Week is, inevitably, sex. While it is completely up to the people involved in the sex, you need to make sure that you are able to consent, that you are making the right decision, and that you are safe while you’re having sex. This means having protected sex, but also letting your friends know where you are and not letting yourself get in a situation where you’re alone with someone you don’t know or trust. There are a few precautions you can put in place to make sure that if you are having sex it’s safe. Develop a buddy system so that your friend always knows if you have decided to have sex with someone, and can talk you out of it if he or she thinks you’re not sober enough to be making the decision.
Security
With that many people in one town, things are going to get crowded. If you’re staying in hostels, there’s more chance that your luggage will be unprotected, so always carry your valuables around with you in a travel belt and stay away from situations that look volatile. Also, a travel insurance policy is a good idea to make sure you’re covered if anything is stolen or damaged while you’re away.
Schoolie’s is a great way to celebrate the achievement of finishing school, but make sure you take the necessary measures to take care of yourselves and your friends.
