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呜嗷
先来个一个星期试试看吧！能不能收到呢一个星期后俺就考完试了就可以找你了！太好了呜呜呜呜呜我好想你如果能收到的话就再来个三年五年的那个时候我都大学快毕业了啊（叹气）好！就这样！寄出！塞尔达真好玩（突然）
Kassi
2020.01.05
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
2023.01.24
写给未来庞薇伊
今天你和宿舍的人聊到了12:30和姜英闺蜜的问题谈了，现在的闺蜜是高燕君，跟他说你和她就是合。现在喜欢的人是why. 但是已经要放弃了她说你和思琪一样....记住今天 .送给你18岁的你
n1584
2017.03.30
写给未来的…
嗨！刚考完高考的我，还好吗？我是一年前的你。。。。。。对自己有信心么？无论考的如何，要适当的给放压，人生还很长，这并不是最后的结果。不要埋怨自己，你尽力就好了。这是的你领悟了“年少无知”了吗？加油！
Forevermark
2013.03.23
写给未来的…
啧，说点什么，我也不知道。你这时已经上大学了吧。要是复读也不至于，复这么多年，这点自信我还是有的。选的这个时间，你应该不会介意了吧想好人生怎么过了吗。爱你啊，变成自己喜欢崇拜的人啊。那……等会见！
n6795
2021.03.07
写给未来的自己
未来的自己，现在你已经经历过中考了吧，我希望你的中考是顺利的，如果因为我这一时的错误选择而导致考不好的话，那对不起，我对不起我自己。你还喜欢她吗，现在还好吗，鼓起勇气去表白吧，说不定一切都还来得及
n2040
2017.05.02
2020年高考结束的薛琼美、你好啊
今天高考倒计时75天。应该是把、也没细算。很想知道带完高考毕业以后的你又有什么新的想法这阵子是挺浮躁的，发现了自己存在的很多问题。生活不是自己想象中的样子但也没有那么难希望自己全力以赴把加油！
n4926
2020.04.23
写给未来的我
我只想说你再不努力，你TMD的会后悔的，等到暑假咱们再看，你TMD别不争气考不上一中，到时候我看你怎么交代，别忘了，特么好多人的希望都在你身上，你要争气，TMD别再玩了，为了他们你要努力！！！
我以为
2013.04.04
给高考结束的我
不知道我争气不争气，高考结束了，感觉怎么样，轻松还是气馁。感谢父母，感谢自己或者对不起父母，也对不起自己。总之，加油吧。突然不知道自己应该说些什么了。就这样吗。希望自己成为自己想要的样子。
n1438
2016.04.17
写给未来的…
未来的我你好吖！我现在是高一生，就在昨天晚上我确定了大学的专业：法学，我希望自己可以努力三年考上中国人民大学或者中国政法大学。如果三年后的我仍坚定不移的选择法学，我愿誓死捍卫法律的尊严！
丞年
2020.11.28
一年之后
一年之后的你，过得开心吗？ 一年之后的他，有没有获得想要的成功？ 你考去bz了吗？ 希望你身体健康，希望你怀着感恩之心，认真过好每一天。
之夏
2019.03.03
Hi 18岁的林若菲 【一】
写给18岁的林若菲： 这时候的你，已经领到成绩了吧，是不是正在考虑到底报考哪所学校呢？我被定格在14岁的晚春了呢。已经初三了呢。但你已是高三毕业。希望你去苏州大学，那很美的。
半夏林_
2015.04.29
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