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写给你自己
嘿，今天是你18岁的生日。大学生活开始三个月了，你过得怎么样呢？还习惯吗？今天是自己一个人悄悄的过吗？有没有想谁呢？学习的怎么样，朋友认识的如何？今天成人了 该长大了，要好好照顾自己哦
是我
2016.09.04
写给未来的…
你还好么，未来的自己，这时候你应该已经考完高考了吧，希望你能取得好成绩，还记得和她许下的诺言么，毕业后就在一起，所以请你去兑现你的诺言，给她一个拥抱，一个吻，因为你爱她爱的无法自拔……
n1477
2016.05.15
for future xinky part.74
第七十四天，听到焕伟手机炸了的事，我意识到，中考快到了，各位少年都遇到了一些无法预料的事，看来这就是中考的诅咒吧！为什么没有直升这东西啊( •̥́ ˍ •̀ू )4.28 22:08
过去的星奇
2017.05.04
111111
在看到这封信是也已经是一年后的自己了，不知道一年后的我会是啥样子，高考成绩考的理想了没，当看到这封信时我正在干嘛呢，那是你成熟了没有，准备上大学吗？还是出社会，自己更加稳重了没有呢
h13753351473
2024.07.05
2024的爱人
还好吗？高三的压力会很大吗？也许你看不到这封信。我还是要向你庆祝，这一年成长了很多吧！哈哈，你我的激动似乎感应了一下，我们都知道我们发生了什么。这一定还是一个秘密!and新年快乐!
n8459
2023.01.22
三年之约
三年前的今年，你坐在电脑桌前，离开学只有三天，你仍旧是还有很多作业没有完成，也像之前的十几个寒暑假一样，虚度时间，那么三年之后呢？你是否考上了心仪的大学，你是否改掉了拖延的毛病呢？
您的好友宁
2017.07.28
写给几天后的你
看到成绩了吧 收到录取了吗 或者... 昨天过得好吗 真希望你能开心 但现实就是要舍得你舍不得的东西 不管结果是与否 一切都是注定的 希望你有个美好的开始 要么一起努力 要么放手
n822
2016.06.23
写给未来的你
你过得还好吗，我们还在一起吗，你还喜欢我吗，你考上了想去的大学了吗。希望你不要迷茫，就算不喜欢我了也不要给自己增添负担，希望你能真正长大，祝你18岁生日快乐，虽然今天不是你生日。
n6186
2020.12.06
未来的我
现在的我一事无成 只是个废物 两年后的我会是怎么样 还有我现在在等一个女孩子嘿嘿嘿 她很漂亮 才16岁 高二 两年后也18岁了 跟我一样我在等她 我不知道能不能等到我也爱她 念念
Severl7
2020.11.28
给自己的信
小杨宝宝你现在有没有和金乙铉在一起呀 有没有考上好的大学呀 是否拿着自己想要的苹果16了呢 现在的你对未来充满期待 希望自己高考考好一点 能和喜欢的人在一起 宝宝你要快快乐乐的
3341692256
2025.05.18
写给未来的皓然
hello！我是5年前的你哦。明天就是家长会了。中考顺利了吗？我对未来的我很有希望哦！你现在还有那怪脾气吗？婆婆现在非常健康。成绩怎么样呢？你还没有睡觉吗？对未来人生要有把握哦
n5364
2020.11.27
高考前夕
嘿，明天要参加高考了。去年的这个时候你正坐在电脑前码字呢。心理状态调整得如何啊？最近一年来有发奋吧？不要担心，有付出总归是有收获的，明天平常心，正常发挥，一定可以考好的，加油！
詹佳莹Vera
2013.06.07
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