Schoolies: Expectations vs reality
Ah schoolies, the classic Aussie tradition that has thousands of Year 12 students counting down the days until they can leave the hell called high school behind for a week of nothing but lounging by day and celebrating by night. You hug your Mum goodbye, pack everything into your mate’s ancient car, and promise your parents you won’t do anything they wouldn’t do.
While schoolies is an important rite of passage, it’s not always your older peers have told you it would be. There are some things that just won’t turn out like you would expect.
Partying
Expectation: This week of your life will be something you’ll remember forever, commemorating the moment you left the hallowed halls of childhood behind to say a great big hello to the world. Of course you’re going to celebrate it in style. Bring on the endless supply of dranks and socialising galore. It’ll be just like The Great Gatsby, but with less murder and melancholy (well, one can at least hope so).
Reality: Chances are you and your crew are still only 17 and thus are barred from the alluring world of nightclubs and bars. While you might feel like a proper grown-up, the eyes of the law beg to differ. It’s time to swap those dranks for takeaway pizza and the latest season of How to Get Away with Murder. Hopefully there’s at least an all-ages beach party you can go to…
Friendship
Expectation: You’re pretty sure the people you’re going to schoolies with are going to remain your close friends for the rest of your life. This is your squad; your bonds of friendship have withstood everything from classroom-drama to emergency study sessions. There is literally nothing that could tear you apart.
Reality: Spending every day with someone at school is completely different to spending 24/7 with them for an entire week. Add alcohol to the mix, if you’re lucky enough to be 18, and the little things that annoyed you before can become a big deal in no time. That’s not to say you can never be friends again after this, just don’t be afraid to take a no-contact break for at least a few days when schoolies is over.
Independence
Expectation: For many school-leavers, schoolies can provide a first taste of what adult freedom feels like. It’s pretty great, you get to eat anything you want, do whatever you want and sleep whenever you want. Want to spend the whole afternoon lounging by the pool? Why not. Thinking about smashing a whole tub of Ben and Jerry’s in one sitting? Heck, you’re young, this isn’t going to be the worst decision you’ll ever make.
Reality: Think less delicious ice cream, more ringing your Mum at 10pm asking whether she can urgently deposit some funds into your account because you can’t pay for your share of the late-night Macca’s run your friends are set on.
Independence is so fleeting my fellow poorly functioning semi-adults. You’ll probably never understand how money leaves your wallet so quickly, it’s just like the Bermuda Triangle or how your headphones get so dang tangled if you leave them alone for one second. You’d be wise to suck up your pride now because there’s going to be plenty more calls of a similar nature in your immediate future.
Stay safe, keep hydrated, don’t forget your sunscreen, and enjoy this little slice of bliss – you definitely deserve it.
Shannon Coward
Shannon Coward is a third year Bachelor of Journalism and Bachelor of Arts student at the University of Queensland. She enjoys period dramas, doughnuts and a good nap.