How to survive Schoolies: Your A to Z guide

Here’s everything you ever wanted to know - and some things you didn’t want to know - about the annual Schoolies celebrations.

To celebrate the annual Schoolies event we’ve compiled a special A-Z guide.

Here’s everything you ever wanted to know - and some things you didn’t want to know - about Schoolies.

Maroochydore State High School students hit the water at Mooloolaba to mark the end of school and the start of Schoolies. Picture: Lachie Millard

A is for Alcohol

Every year it lands hundreds of schoolies – and the occasional parent, in trouble with a fine from police.

B is for Balcony

Every year schoolies are warned of the danger that alcohol and high-rise balconies don’t mix.

C is for Condoms

Stay safe schoolies.

D is for Droolie

If you’re too old to be dating a teenager, but you’re lurking amid the schoolies, this applies to you.

E is for Ecstasy

If you’re thinking about it, police drug detection units are on patrol throughout the Schoolies precinct.

F is for Food

You can’t live on free pancakes and red frogs all week, though many try.

G is for Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is Ground Zero for the Schoolies festival.

Workmen putting up infrastructure in preparations for Schoolies 2021 at Surfers Paradise. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

H is for Help

There’s plenty around, with hundreds of volunteers, paramedics and police to keep kids safe.

I is for Instagram
If you’re posting, ask whether your future boss would approve.

J is for Junk food

All the major chains are within a short stumble of your hotel room.

K is for Knock

As in knock before barging into your mate’s room. They may have company.

L is for Luuuuurve

Believe it or not, lifelong unions have started on the beach at Surfers Paradise.

M is for Mates

Stick with them.

Schoolies out and about in Noosa. Picture: Patrick Woods.

N is for night-swimming

And for no, as in no, night-swimming after 10 drinks is not a good idea.

O is for Orchid Ave

For the first time, many schoolies will be 18 and legally allowed to enter the establishments on the entertainment strip, where strip is often the operative word.

P is for Police

There will be hundreds of them.

Q is for QR codes

Signing in will help authorities if this week becomes a Covid superspreader.

R is for Red Frogs

The volunteer group on hand to help schoolies in trouble and dispense sugary treats.

S is for Sex

See C.

T is for Toolie

Younger than droolies, older than foolies. Confused yet? Maybe just avoid the area altogether if you’re not a schoolie.

U is for Under arrest

Not what you want to be under this week. See also A, E and P.

Schoolies at a concert at Surfers Paradise in 2019. Picture: AAP Image/Richard Gosling

V is for Vaccinate

Over 16s are encouraged to get the jab.

W is for Wanding

Police will be on the lookout for any kids carrying weapons and have advanced metal detection units at their disposal.

X is for X-rated

Nude selfies are not advised.

Y is for Yellowstone

It’s one of the top streaming shows if you’re too hungover to move.

Z is for Zzzzzs

As in sleep. After this week, you’ll need it.

Originally published as How to survive Schoolies: Your A to Z guide