Schoolies Top Tips

By Schoolies QLD | Updated: 29th April, 2017 | 5 min read

Stick together

Worried about staying safe at Schoolies? The best thing you can do is stay close to your mates, especially when you’re out and about. If you ever find yourself in trouble, you can count on your friends to help out and you should do the same for them.

While at Schoolies, it’s also a good idea to:

Always go out with at least one other person you know.
Ask a volunteer to walk you back to your hotel or accommodation if you get separated from your friends.
Remember to keep credit on your phone and $20 stashed away somewhere safe in case you need to take a taxi or catch public transport.
Organise a meeting point to catch up with your friends, in case you get separated.
Make sure your friends know who you want them to call in an emergency.
It goes without saying, but make sure you always carry photo ID.
It may sound silly, but make sure you know where you’re staying. When you arrive at Schoolies, put your hotel address in the notes section of your phone or save it as a destination in your maps app. It can be easy to lose your way in the dark – if you know the address you can use your smartphone to help you navigate your way home. Every year the volunteers who walk schoolies back to their hotel report stories of people who didn’t know where they were staying. Don’t be that person!

Staying safe

If you feel uncomfortable about a place or you sense danger from someone, trust your instincts and leave immediately.
If someone is hassling you, move to another area or get help from a friend, volunteer, security or police officer. Don’t be afraid to approach them – you won’t get in trouble if you’re intoxicated, they are there to keep you safe.
If a friend is acting strangely, or unable to control themselves because they have drunk too much or have taken something harmful, get them medical attention. Ambulance officers will not call the police unless there is a risk to their physical safety, a death has occurred or someone has been assaulted. Don’t leave your friend alone with a stranger – you don’t know what their intentions are!

Staying in touch

Haven’t spoken to your parents about Schoolies yet? Take some time to sit down with them and come up with a plan about how you’re going to keep in touch. Your parents may be worried about your safety – having a plan to stay in touch will help them to rest a little easier.

It’s a good idea to:

Set a time each day for them to call you and give them a friend’s mobile number in case yours isn’t charged. Make sure they don’t call too early! After 12 years of school you’ll want to sleep in.
Let them know who you’re staying with and where you’re staying.

Protect your friendships

Finishing school is a big deal and it is immediately followed by the excitement of Schoolies. We’ve all heard about friends who have had a bust-up at Schoolies. Make sure you stay friends by following these easy tips.

Agree on some ground rules with your friends before you arrive. Discuss what behaviour you will and won’t tolerate, strategies for safety and your plans for the week.
If you’re concerned about a friend’s choices or behaviour, try to talk to them about what’s worrying you. It’s never a good idea to talk about them behind their back.
If tension starts to build, remember that these are your friends and they’ve shared important parts of your life, so give them some space.

Try to resolve conflict by talking it over when you’re both calm and able to focus on the problem. Tell your friend how you feel, without blaming or accusing them.

Allow your friend to tell you their side of the story. Listen to them, try to understand their point of view and don’t interrupt them.
Remember, violence is never acceptable. A fight at Schoolies could ruin a long-term friendship. Stay calm and go for a walk to cool down if you feel like things coiuld get out of hand.

No matter what happens, make sure you and your friends are safe at all times. Even if you’re arguing, you’ll be safer together than going off on your own.

Manage expectations

You’ve been looking forward to Schoolies all year and now it is finally here. Sometimes though, when we’ve been looking forward to something for a long time, our expectations can be too high and we may end up disappointed.

Schoolies is a great opportunity to hang out with your friends, meet new people and celebrate the end of school. However, Schoolies is not a round-the-clock party and there will be quiet times during the day and mid-week. If you take care of yourself and enjoy the downtime as well as the busy times, your Schoolies experience is sure to be a good one.

Follow these tips to ensure you stay healthy and happy.

Take a couple of nights off from partying. Watch a movie at your hotel or go to the Chill Out Night at the Schoolies Hub.
Do a mid-week grocery shop to stock up on the essentials, such as bread, cereal, milk, fresh fruit and vegetables. Your body will thank you for it!
Take turns cooking a breakfast feast for your flatmates, even if you wake up at lunchtime! You could also ask the Red Frogs crew to come to your apartment and cook pancakes for you.
Visit the beach, theme parks or shopping centres during the day.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia Licence Sourced via www.schoolies.qld.gov.au