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写给未来的自己
100天后的你 中考加油 金榜题名 花开了 很好看 今天记得去看噢 会有俊哲带来的好运的 春天噜 你那里一定很热吧 张老师回来了吗 一定吧加油2023.3.3 11:53晚安
n8473
2023.03.03
。。。
哈哈，你现在应该考完试了吧，我现在还在奶奶家，刚过完年。希望你能够考上理想的大学，不知道你找没找到对象，反正希望你珍惜身边的亲人和朋友。嗯，就这样吧，还要打游戏呢，bye～
n7717
2022.02.06
给中考完的自己
最后的16天过去了，我相信你已经竭尽全力去做自己所能做到的事情，拿到所能拿到分，希望你不要对自己的过去感到悔恨！还有祝你拿到自己想好的好分数，加油过去的自己！加油！奥利给！
哲学家
2020.07.04
⁽⁽٩( ´͈ ᗨ `͈ )۶⁾⁾将来的你
将来的我，你好呀。不知道现在的你是否得到一个令自己满意的高考答卷，但愿你尽人事，听天命，尽自己最大努力啦，真是希望你得到你所想要的，不要让自己曾经的努力被辜负。永远爱自己。
机智的空烛烛
2016.07.24
若时光飞逝
憧憬的着都是害怕失去的。只是你别去放弃初心。一切都好好的就好了。愿你笑颜一直如初 愿你傻人傻福 愿你不忘初心 愿你依旧善良。最后最后圣诞节快乐考个好成绩好好度过这一年吧。
一百个梦里
2016.12.22
写给未来的帅哥啊
嘿，就你呢，帅哥我是四年前的你啊现在的我很不听话，学习不好你呢？高考完了吧！考得怎么样啊不愿意说嘛？没关系。。。我永远理解你希望你不要因为我而后悔对不起祝你快乐幸福吧！
n5839
2020.11.28
三年
考完期中考啦，成绩怎么样啊，在班里过得开心吗？买到书没有？是不是很好看哇？加油啊，好好对待三年，不想理的人就不要理，贱人就不要理了，做好自己，变得自信、有气质、开朗吧！
浅浅公主
2015.11.20
写给中考完的我
是不是尽全力考了？考完了就可以放开手脚学托福 口语了！多大之旅可不能丢脸！一切都不要担心，只要像平时那样考过去定能有个好成绩！祝有个充实的暑假！确定好自己的未来！！！
qwerty_869
2016.06.15
写给未来的…
这时的你应该高考完了吧，路是自己走的，走的方式是你自己选的，所以不管结果如何，都要自己负责。要祝福这时的自己终于毕业了，祝贺你，唐维。我知道2013年的我会过的很辛苦
维维vivi
2013.03.26
何雨阳的一封信
姐姐，弟要是不出意外的话，已经高考结束了，也是180天以前写的这封信，印象中的我不会让你你失望的，姐姐，原谅我啦可以吗，可以加你微信了吗，姐姐，看到了回个信息可以吗
13168103167
2024.12.04
山猪
冬天了诶，我到新学校也要一个学期了，我想考中国政法大学了，新朋友还行吧，没有那种一看到就想笑的感觉，今天见了胡媛儿，听说你生病过敏了，你也不说一声，你要早点好起来呀
巴啦啦
2021.11.06
致明年的自己
今天是你的生日，祝你18岁生日快乐！！不知道今天你的心情怎么样，你的那行老朋友们还在。马上要考试了，我有点慌，害怕考砸。。上次考的太好，这次有点压力。。生日快乐！！
Lie
2021.06.11
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
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