At the end of Year 12, you deserve your well earned celebration. Whatever you’ve got lined up, we hope you have an amazing time. Although you probably don’t need reminding, we’ve put together a few tips and resources you might like to read to help you have fun and stay safe at Schoolies. Your parents will also feel happier when you tell them that that you’ve done your due diligence and are all prepared – winning!
Before Schoolies starts
Planning ahead can help ensure that you have a drama-free, full-fun time.
- Leave a copy of your bank card details at home in case you lose it and have to cancel it, and take your bank contact details with you so that you can report lost or stolen cards.
- Make sure you’ll have enough money to cover all the essentials while you’re away, including an emergency stash (cash might be handy).
- Know where you’re staying and how you’ll be getting there.
- Read through the accommodation agreement so that you know the rules.
- Plan a safe place you can store any important documents or valuables while you’re away.
- Remember your phone charger and make sure you have plenty of credit/data, so that you can stay in touch with home or call for help if you need to.
- Make sure your parents or carers have a copy of your accommodation and travel details – they’ll want to know where you are and it could be handy if you have any problems with your booking.
- Add an ICE (in case of emergency) contact to your phone. It could be useful to download the Red Frogs app or store their helpline number too (1300 557 123).
What to pack
We’ve no doubt you’ll take enough outfits to last (hopefully enough socks and jocks too), but make sure you also have:
- Your ID
- Phone charger
- A hat, sunscreen, and insect repellent
- Some comfy shoes
- Small first aid kit – band aids and paracetamol at least
- Any medications or prescriptions you might need
- Snacks and emergency food (muesli bars, noodles, cup-a-soups, for example)
- A reusable water bottle is a good idea – staying hydrated is really important
- Sharing a room? You might want a sleep mask or ear plugs
Heading overseas?
If you’re lucky enough to be venturing out of the country, have you:
- Got all your vaccinations?
- Left scans or photos of your itinerary and travel documents with someone at home and have copies to take with you?
- Organised an international SIM card or know how you’ll be contact home (international calls can be expensive)?
- Got travel insurance? It’s not that costly and well worth it for peace of mind. Make sure you keep a note of the phone number and your policy details with you too
- Found out what you need to do if there’s an emergency?
We also recommend you take a look at the resources on Smart Traveller for school leavers looking to head overseas for Schoolies.
Staying safe at Schoolies
Before you head off, discuss your boundaries with your mates and trusted adults, and listen to their advice as well. Hopefully you’ll never need to act on these plans, but it’s good to have it in the back of your mind in case a tricky situation occurs.
- Make sure someone always knows where you are going and when to expect you back – ideally go out with at least one other person or in a group.
- Have a way of staying in touch with your parents and contacting them in an emergency. Remember it’s free to use public pay phones across Australia now. You could give your parents’ contact details to a couple of your friends going away with you (and their parents too if you know them).
- When you’re out and about, stay with your friends and have a plan to meet up at a certain time and place if you get split up.
- Be careful about who you tell where you are staying and who you let into your room – you could arrange to meet new friends in a public place rather than at your accommodation.
- Plan how you will get back to your accommodation and make sure you’ll have enough money left at the end of the night to follow your plan.
- If you’re walking around late at night, stick to well-lit areas.
- Don’t leave your drinks unattended or accept drinks from strangers.
- There’s plenty of help around if you need it, so don’t be afraid to ask police, security, emergency services, officials and volunteers.
- If an argument or a fight breaks out, walk away. If you’re concerned about a someone’s wellbeing, find security or call 000.
There’s other tips about how to party safely and avoid potential dangers, plus what to do in an emergency here.
Get more information and useful contact numbers if you’re attending schoolies in Victoria, Queensland, or specifically the Gold Coast, Byron Bay, Airlie Beach, or Bali.
Have fun!
OK, so we probably don’t need to remind you about this one. But just keep in mind our top 3 recommendations for a great schoolies:
- Use your common sense
- Drink heaps of water
- Think twice about what you post on social media
You’re bound to make some fantastic memories and have an absolute blast.
We have more lifestyle and wellbeing tips to check out on our website here.