College students jump into sea for good luck on exams

By Elizabeth Hunter

Photos show students at a prestigious university jumping into the sea at dawn in a tradition said to bring good luck for exams.

For years, students at the University of St Andrews have taken part in the Gaudie and May Dip, a tradition which takes place the night of April 30 and early hours of May 1.

Students begin the Gaudie as the sun sets, and don red robes for a torchlit walk along the pier.

The walk is in memory of John Honey, a student who attended the university in 1800, and rescued five members of the crew of the Janet of Macduff, a ship that had run aground off of East Sands.

In the early hours of the morning, the robes come off, and students take an icy dip in the North Sea.

Tradition states that the cold dip will promote good luck during the exam season and cure any academic sins committed throughout the year.

The origins of the May Dip are unknown, but at St Andrews, the tradition became reported on at some point in the 20th century.

The tradition was paused for in 2019 due to Covid restrictions, but the practice had resumed by 2022.