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.
How to write this letter
- 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
999 public letters丁鹏建
恭喜你哇，考上了好大学，心仪的大学继续努力吧，对得起父母，张鑫桔以及你爱的所有人在接下来的两个月，抓紧时间提升自己！做个好警察，在公大继续塑造自己吧四月的你，很自信，很努力，很幸运，加油！山不过来，我便过去！继续向前！
n7843
2022.04.03
自己
未来的自己： 你是否真的会变成想象中的模样吗，还是已经成功考上了本科，不过以我现在（2021年2月15号）看来学习还是有点差，此时的自己完全没有学习的心，未来的自己有女朋友吗？
可爱的大叔叔
2021.02.15
写给未来的…
哈喽宝贝，想我了没有，你肯定很惊讶我是谁吧，我是你男朋友哦，只不过在我写这封信的时候是三年前呢，唔，高考结束了，不知道将来的我还有没有和你在一起，不对，我们一定会在一起的，对吗？我真的很喜欢你哦，我好想和你在一起一辈子
Poison54844
2020.11.28
你好，来自未来的我
今天应该是17岁生日噢～希望未来的我能收到这封信。一定要逃离这个支离破碎的家呀，也一定要成为男孩子……还喜欢原耽嘛～一定要坚持呀好好学习！现在应该是高二吧哈哈哈哈，我六年级哦。慢慢来吧宝贝，没什么事时间解决不了的事情哦
n5561
2020.11.28
写给2021的自己
考上创新班了吗？考上创新班了吗？考上创新班了吗？哈哈哈哈，这是2020的我最关注的事情，不过不要有太大压力哦，连慧美女都说你是最有希望上创新班的，你一定能行的！ 帮我跟家人们问好，新年快乐～
n5535
2020.11.28
cbh
2016.12.15昨天买了回去的车票考试完了那天生日 和宋若晨去武汉12号就到家了！！！新的一年 在去年的最后的一天你在干嘛呢？今天周四 下午乐理课 又要周末了还有十天就回家了
n1690
2016.12.15
给未来的董俊康
今天是2015年6月七号，高三的学长学姐们正在努力拼搏，后天就是月考了，加油！两年后的你还跟叶芳在一起吗？现在的你是那么喜欢叶芳，她喜欢你，你喜欢她，希望两年后你们还能继续在一起。相信你自己，努力考上理想的大学！加油！
董俊康flyer
2015.06.07
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
2024.01.27
何雨阳的信
姐姐，今天是你的生日，弟弟祝你生日快乐，你要开心，弟弟在这一天也会在心里祝福你，希望姐姐能等我到高考结束，希望姐姐能看到我长大，给弟弟一点挽回空间，我也会释怀的，把一切交给时间好不好，时间会证明我到底听不听你话的！
13168103167
2024.12.04
写给未来的江昌鹏
应悦有没有成为女朋友，有没有瘦成男神，我是两年前的你在拉屎，马上就要高考了吧，好好加油，你的梦想可是要跟洪鑫他们一起开一家球馆呢，还有屁股治没治好，还有记住，两年前的你，爱打篮球，爱看美女，记住昂，勿忘初心，小骚猪
n6072
2020.11.29
你成功了吗？
一年不见，不知道你有没有拼尽全力考上你想去的大学呢？不要忘记一部动漫叫“某科学的超电磁炮”，也不要忘记你那时的梦想____要研究出能够进入梦中世界的思维跳跃仪，说起来似乎有一些幼稚，但是，你要加油，不要让我失望啊！
n5205
2020.08.28
未来可期
其实是第二次发了，第一次账号错了加油啊，说多了就容易感伤，现在你还在高一刚放假呢，现在在哪？问这个问题真的很害怕。。唉，又没啥说的了，但愿看到你能想起来吧不擅长等待的我居然选择了五年，真神奇，可能那时我连号都没了吧
时光仍在
2020.08.03
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