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写给高考后的自己
的分数的那一刻你的心情又是什么样的呢？现在是2023年1月24日，距离高考还有130多天，不知道考没考上公办二本，嗯，看到分数的时候，心情又怎样呢？，挺期待的，希望那时候你是高兴的。好了，就这些吧。
n8461
Jan 24, 2023 · Traveled 6 months 16 days
写给未来的信
hello今天是高考出分的日子你做的真的很棒了加油对了，不要忘记给2023年五一青秀山之旅的 那个当时喜欢的人 报一声平安鸭！
n8508
May 2, 2023 · Traveled 2 years 1 month
Photo letter
致2026年的兰依依
(三年后的老爷爷，你应该没有因为学习压力太大而死吧？)hello,我是三年前的你，想必此时此刻的你经历完了高考和填报志愿，不要难过和悲伤，就算你上了个大专也没关系，反正我还是很清楚你我的尿性的。不知道你有没有男/女朋友，如果有，没错就是因为你人格魅力太大了。这个暑假请你好好玩，别跟个神经病一样去打工
n8528
Jul 1, 2023 · Traveled 3 years
二比
看到这封信你估计会很震惊，一年之后的我估计早就把这件事忘干净了，我现在在准备高考，不知道你考的怎么样，嘛，估计和预想中的差不了多少，你不会还是处男吧，一直想画的漫画画了吗，要是还画不出来你就马上从楼上跳下去好吗？答应我。记得对妈妈好点哦ovo
n5379
Jan 17, 2024 · Traveled 1 year
致奕
兄弟，现在的你和她怎么样了，是再次回头，又或是山水不相逢了呢？不管怎样祝福你，你也将要成为一名成年人了！高考也已经结束了，你有没有辜负数十年的努力呢？对于未来，我有很多问题，你现在还在踢球吗？国足振兴了吗？这些问题还得等你来回答。 就此搁笔 young
n7128
Jan 18, 2024 · Traveled 1 year 5 months
写给未来的...
兄弟，现在的你和她怎么样了，是再次回头，又或是山水不相逢了呢？不管怎样祝福你，你也将要成为一名成年人了！高考也已经结束了，你有没有辜负数十年的努力呢？对于未来，我有很多问题，你现在还在踢球吗？国足振兴了吗？这些问题还得等你来回答。 就此搁笔 young
n7128
Jan 18, 2024 · Traveled 1 day
写给未来的...
18岁的刘思雯你好 🎂生日怎么过的呢 🤩开学后是不是很忙呢 🤔快高考了有没有信心考上呢😊 和轩宝宝是不是一百多天了🎀 你们都干什么了呢~ 这封信就周六送达吧 周日上学🏫毕业一定要去大连看海🌊 要和他一直在一起呀☺️
n8452
Jan 27, 2024 · Traveled 1 day
给高考之后的自己写一封信
现在肯定已经高考完确定去哪个学校了吧，目前高二的我其实还挺迷茫的，说实话我现在应该何去何从我心里面真的没有底，五年之后我会在一个什么样的学校毕业呢？大专？还是我梦寐以求的天津中医药大学，可能现在的我更适合大专，也只能上大专，但是我并不想止步于此，虽然父母的要求很低，仅仅上个天津医专就行，但是我还是感
华嘉鑫
Feb 11, 2024 · Traveled 1 year 5 months
给高考之后的我一封信
现在应该已经确定上哪所大学了吧，我相信我上的是一所本科，但现在高二的我处于人生的最低谷，我可能连天津的大专也考不上，但是我始终相信，我的命运不会止步不前，我还是希望我能考上天津中医药大学，这可以说是我的梦中情校，但如果真的只是考上了天津医专，那就只能认命喽，但起码也算是混上了天津的户口，说到这说到高
华嘉鑫
Feb 11, 2024 · Traveled 1 year 5 months
一封来自2024年02月17日的信
谷家旗 高考结束了 现在的你过的怎么样 发挥的好吗 这些都不重要啦 你只要努力过 无憾！人生不是只有学习才能成功！写这封信时候的你呀 很迷茫 很不自律 但也想成功 也会害怕 对啦 你现在还和陆思喆那小傻b在一起吗 你们这会可甜蜜蜜哟 我困了 睡觉
n5665
Feb 17, 2024 · Traveled 1 year 3 months
祝贺你18岁啦
可爱的黄修贤宝宝！祝你生日快乐哦！天天快乐！今天距离高考还有96天哦，也是我们在一起的686天，时间很快，转眼我们也要毕业啦，和宝宝在一起的时光很长也很短暂，很开心也有不愉快，人生亦如此，当你读过这封信，意味着可爱的你也要做一个能独当一面的小大人(只要有我在，你就不能算大人，就是一个小大人！)未来的
3439390869
Mar 3, 2024 · Traveled 7 months 27 days
你好，我是一年前的你
可能你在复读，也可能已经去了大学，总之，加油吧，同志！
2023027864
Mar 7, 2024 · Traveled 11 months 27 days
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