On the Gold Coast, Schoolies is a time of dread for the majority of locals. Let me paint a picture for you; hundreds of thousands of fresh 16-18 year old graduates flood Surfers Paradise with their pink lanyards, wristbands, and monstrous egos. Can I also mention that these kids find their way to the outer suburbs of the Gold Coast. I work about 15 minutes out of Surfers, and trust me they find you wherever you are and they bring their attitudes with them.
You have to admire the spirit they bring. However, hearing “SCHOOLIES” screamed at you from every direction does get tiresome. Some of you may think that Gold Coast locals aren’t as interested in celebrating graduation with schoolies, that maybe the hype is not there as they go into Surfers and hang out on the beaches every weekend. And I agree, Schoolies on the Gold Coast does seem more fun for interstate visitors. However, I can say, once being a schoolie myself, the hype is there and some. Not only is it the highlight of the year, but it’s also so much more affordable than graduates coming from different cities. It’s all about grabbing your closest friends and living in each others pockets for a week. Running into other classmates at the beach party is always a highlight as well as the new friends you can make along the way.
And when I say drama always happens at Schoolies, I mean it ALWAYS happens. Your best friend will hook up with your on-again-off-again boy thing, or your mate will end up losing you in the crowd and not answering his phone until you’re convinced he’s been hit by a tram or eaten by a shark. I can also imagine Gold Coast parents prefer their teenagers partying a 15 minute drive away, rather than a 2 hour flight. While there might not be as much new land to explore, Schoolies gives Gold Coast kids an opportunity to party like they’re actually 18 and play house in a swanky apartment.
From my perspective, I cannot understand the appeal in being a toolie, I just can’t do it. Yay, you get to hang around and party with underage teenagers that can’t handle the night. Plus, they’re so noisy, like why shh. The amount of security at Schoolies nowadays is also so intense. Just go clubbing and zero in on 18 year olds if you want to party with young people that badly.
To my fellow locals out there - be strong, we will get through these tough two weeks. Yes, I did say two. Some of you may not realise, but not only do we tolerate Queensland schoolies, but after them we get an influx of the New South Wales graduates. Only difference? They’re 18, so their partying knows no limits. If you live in Surfers Paradise, I’m praying for you to get a good nights sleep, maybe purchase ear buds to avoid listening to screaming all night? And to those planning to holiday to the coast, just don’t come around this time of year, it’s better that way.
But maybe I’m giving Schoolies a bad rep, they can’t all be bad.
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