After the Gaokao: Write to Yourself, One Year On
The days between the big exam and the results move slower than the three years before them. Every year around this time, students come here to write: some address the self who'll be refreshing the results page in a month, some the self standing at a university gate in September with a suitcase, and some don't dare imagine anything at all — they just pour out three years of pressure and doubt, and mail it one year ahead to see if it still stings. These letters all share one thing: the writer thinks they're betting on an outcome, but when the letter is opened a year later, they discover that the thing that felt world-ending truly did pass. Below are real letters students chose to make public. If you've just walked out of the exam hall, or you're waiting on a score that feels like it decides everything — write it down. The you who already knows the answer will want to hear from the you who doesn't.
Ideas to get you started
- Write down the uncertainty exactly as it is: your estimated score, the city you're hoping for, what scares you. That suspense is the best part a year from now.
- Spell out your plans for every outcome — what you'll do if it goes well, and if it doesn't. Future-you will see how brave you were.
- Thank someone: the deskmate who studied with you, the parents who walked you to the exam, the teacher who never gave up on you. You can show them the letter in a year.
- Set one challenge for your first year of university, then check back in twelve months whether you kept it.
Real letters from the vault
445 public letters努力 奋斗
相毕已经知道高考成绩了吧！无论结局是喜是悲，都要······望达到您想达到的分数，去你想去的学校。就是很悲伤啊现在迷茫 时间终会告诉我们最终的答案哎！！！
n4283
Jun 25, 2019 · Traveled 1 year 11 months
给三年后的自己
2022年的我，你还好吗？是不是收到一份意外的关心有点不知所措？你现在应该在准备高考吧？你选择了文科还是理科？有没有坚持学计算机的梦想？还记得150名的目标吗？人生很长，莫要急躁。时光很短，活出精彩！愿你将青春的汗水挥洒在大地，做到问心无愧。最重要的是，你他娘的有瘦下去吗？没瘦到150斤就给老子暑假
意外
Oct 17, 2019 · Traveled 2 years 6 months
陈天赐的时光漂流瓶
写给未来的自己2陈天赐： 嘿。你还好吗？ 你应该刚刚高考结束吧，祝你考个好成绩。我是少年时的你，或许你已经忘记了，今天我给未来的自己发邮件。我不知道你会不会因为换QQ或者什么原因看不见我给你发的邮件，但我真的希望你可以收到。 你知道吗，前一段的我遇见了烦心事，我喜欢了一个女孩子，但是爱而不得。我才明
n4576
Nov 17, 2019 · Traveled 3 years 7 months
写给未来的王苧桸
Hey，王苧桸，我是2019年呢马頔，这是一封写在两年前呢信，你收桌这封信应该是高考考了呢第一天晚上，这封信给帅。我前两天在微博上看见这个时光邮箱，可以给未来的自己或者别人写信，然后我就很想给你写一封，晓不得你给会觉得很幼稚。你现在过得好吗。你现在还给记得，我在2019年12月8号来你们班门口找你，
n4607
Dec 9, 2019 · Traveled 1 year 6 months
dear
成绩出来前不要害怕，这考试算什么，砸了就砸了，你不是努力了吗？努力了就够了，不要太伤心，多听歌，把暮光之城天气之子看了，心情要变好，加油୧(๑•̀⌄•́๑)૭
浅晶
Jan 12, 2020 · Traveled 7 days
你還在努力嗎
你已經高三了試著放下玩心，努力追求下理想，1年我相信如果是我一定能創造奇蹟的，高考加油
n4693
Jan 28, 2020 · Traveled 5 months 16 days
写给三年后的自己
致三年后的自己: 近来可好? 马上要高考了，时间一定很紧吧?不过我希望你能抽一点时间把这封信看完，我想你不会拒绝的吧，毕竟读信对于现在的我而言可是一大爱好。 我希望你已经把这封信的内容给忘光光了，这样读起来才会更享受一点。要知道我对于两年半前那封信还念念不忘呢，真是难受。说起来你还有在用云中吗?现在
E_R_G
Feb 4, 2020 · Traveled 2 years 10 months
Photo letter
一封信必看！
考完就考完了，去做你想做的，写小说，画画，减肥，学笛子！
n4716
Feb 10, 2020 · Traveled 1 year 3 months
冰菓 其一
已经是快要工作的年龄了真物如何了？有变成有趣的人了嘛？若是遇到烦恼的话逃避也未尝不可。做自己喜欢的事情。2024年是怎样的光景，有没有AR啊，有没有完全潜行游戏啊，还喜欢游戏嘛？有腹肌了吗？再不瘦下来帅一下这辈子都没机会再帅了啊。努力是不会背叛自己的，虽然梦想会背叛。努力不一定能实现梦想，但曾经努力
n4729
Feb 15, 2020 · Traveled 4 years
Kirotr
亲爱的小林 生日快乐！ 我是Kirotr，近来安好嘛？这封信大概是会在你大四的时候收到吧，那时候会是怎样的光景呢？不知道，但现在的光景我想同你说说。 这一年有刻意的疏远你，没有太多同你讲话之类的，因为我挺自卑的，害怕建立过多的联系后再失去会太难过，而且也临近高考了，我希望期望能够考上一个好些的学校，
Kirotr
Feb 16, 2020 · Traveled 4 years 1 month
冰菓 其一
已经是快要工作的年龄了真物如何了？有变成有趣的人了嘛？若是遇到烦恼的话逃避也未尝不可。做自己喜欢的事情。2024年是怎样的光景，有没有AR啊，有没有完全潜行游戏啊，还喜欢游戏嘛？有腹肌了吗？再不瘦下来帅一下这辈子都没机会再帅了啊。努力是不会背叛自己的，虽然梦想会背叛。努力不一定能实现梦想，但曾经努力
Kirotr
Feb 17, 2020 · Traveled 4 years
Photo letter
写给10年后的自己
写给十年后的袁鑫悦，你在备战高考吗？在努力吗？
用户7394046532
Feb 17, 2020 · Traveled 1 day
Frequently Asked Questions
When should the letter arrive?
Three popular picks: results day (about a month out — opening it feels like a reveal), the first day of university in September (new city, old feelings), or exam day next year (a full year, the sharpest before-and-after).
Should I include my estimated score?
Yes. Whatever happens, looking back at that guess — and the nerves behind it — is the most honest part of the whole letter.
Can I write to someone else instead?
Absolutely. Lots of students write to a graduating deskmate or a secret crush — just add their email or phone number and agree to open your letters on the same day next year.
After the Gaokao: Write to Yourself, One Year On
Write yours