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
现在是2020年，不知道你那时怎么样了，高中怎么样啊，马上就要高考了，有目标了吗，有喜欢过得女孩子嘛，现在这个寒假很漫长，因为疫情的问题，唉，好希望开学，高考加油！
n4824
2020.03.02
写给一个月后的自己
今天是你中考结束的日子，你既然考完了，我只想让你扪心自问：你是否拼尽全力？你是否可以考进你心爱的学校，不管你考的如何，我相信你可以在未来的路上走的更远。我相信你。
日光为暖夏亦凉
2018.06.03
寄给明天的自己
hello，你好呀！明天的你还好么？明天有可能是幸运的一天也有可能是苦恼的一天，但是你要记住明天就是命运，我希望你以后要好好听课，争取考进全班第一的好成绩，加油！
Koyster
2018.03.19
如果在十八 我没能送你花
无论你此时是何心情，请谨记：父母永远爱你。不知道你的18岁是怎样的？你也马上高考了吧？那就祝你高考加油哦！你会不会变成我很喜欢的性格呢？你的生活我会不会羡慕呢？
霜蒲
2022.12.17
给未来的自己
保送成功了嘛~无论结果如何都不要灰心！如今没有的缘分，未来总有一日会达成的！如果成功啦，那就要好好珍惜这样的机会呀，继续加油，祝愿你与我身体健康，顺顺利利~！
n8546
2023.09.03
写给未来的李泓毅
泓毅呀，我是一年前的万雨彤。一年好快啊，感觉在家抗疫那段时间犹在昨日。真的很怀念上网课的日子，有对中考的担忧有对高中的憧憬。（阙老师上课的时候我端饭在电脑前吃
n6522
2021.02.15
dear
成绩出来前不要害怕，这考试算什么，砸了就砸了，你不是努力了吗？努力了就够了，不要太伤心，多听歌，把暮光之城天气之子看了，心情要变好，加油୧(๑•̀⌄•́๑)૭
浅晶
2020.01.12
给未来的自己
现在是秋天的一个普通晚上，我刚经历完高中的第一次月考 很差很差 没想到自己竟然如此没用 这个月你一定要好好努力 别荒废自己 期待你在期中考试中将大局逆转
2258826990
2024.10.14
努力 奋斗
相毕已经知道高考成绩了吧！无论结局是喜是悲，都要······望达到您想达到的分数，去你想去的学校。就是很悲伤啊现在迷茫 时间终会告诉我们最终的答案哎！！！
n4283
2019.06.25
(*˘︶˘*).。.:*♡
知道今天是什么日子么，今天(๑•̌.•̑๑)ˀ̣ˀ̣是高考的日子，但是更重要的是，今天是你的生日Ｏ(≧▽≦)Ｏ 。 之前我傻了
未来么
2016.10.20
要高考啦！
黄怡璠！我是一年前的你哦~要高考了！记得于璞说瞌睡还是因为你注意力不够集中，加油啊！700分终极目标！还有四个月！就靠你啦！加油！北大浙大！我不需要睡觉！
黄怡璠
2015.02.14
写给18岁的自己
这是一封来自2020年11月28日的一封邮件，今天是18岁成年的日子，希望以后能扛起自己身上的责任，去追求自己的目标，不管得到或失去了什么，都勇敢去追寻
执笔作红尘
2020.11.28
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