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嘿
♪-Seve戴上耳机出去骑个车，现在。下午的阳光一定很好。趁暑假刚开始，趁这刚开始的七月和夏天。也趁没有作业。初三那么无聊，高中会如何也不知道，不管了。
蛍沢
2017.04.04
致一年后的我
这时应该高二开学了，理科有没有学明白？高考词汇有没有背完？没有的话，请努力吧，还有两年时间，一定要珍惜时间，也要珍惜自己。勿忘初心，勿忘211的目标。
primary
2022.10.12
写给五年后的自己
今天就考试完了、不知道能不能考上五年后希望都会过上自己理想的生活！不负韶华（到底会跟谁结婚啊）（连个男朋友都没有呜呜呜）写于2022年5月23日周一
李鸿哲
2022.05.23
亲爱的奉静
首先祝你18岁生日快乐，我是15岁的奉静。你现在终于脱离了学校的束缚，现在的你怎么样了，对现在的我来说未来还非常的充满憧憬，现在是高一上册，懵懵懂懂
肴
2021.11.16
高考之后第一天（希望能打开看）。
这个时候你是高考完的第一天。希望没有辜负这三年de 努力。不悲伤，也不沮丧可能你忙找暑期工。但是，不要忘记了自己自己心中所想的所要的。这加油，努力。
暖心小声音
2017.09.23
for future xinky part.85
第八十五天，我依然坚持着一天一更，一模结束了，我猜我肯定考不了多少的。而且发生了一个重要而且现阶段无解的事天哪，怎么搞(ﾟoﾟ;5.10 20:36
过去的星奇
2017.05.14
写给未来一个月的我
这一个月托福的成效如何？有没有按计划进行啊？马上要来的中考可要好好考哦，要实现自己一直以来的愿望！语文140+，总分上600！还有有没有变得大方啊？
qwerty_869
2016.05.14
写给未来的…
有没得钱 有娃没 和沙雕网友住一起没 我现在高二 很穷 没有了(っ╥╯﹏╰╥c)对象啥样我前段时间被苏宗凯骗了 亏我还想过结婚呜呜呜
不可负栎栎
2018.09.06
嘿！高二的妹子
妹砸！已经开学半个月了，又要到证明自己的时间了！中秋快乐 快点写作业开了学 要安静 要认真 桌子上贴单词来背不要跟闲人说闲话 不要理故意的人安静
时光六只小怪兽
2016.08.26
给一年后的我
希望你能收到这封信你要加油啊 你已经结束高一了吧 快高二了诶 高中是不是很难QAQ 一中压力山大QAQ诶想不出说什么了(づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ加油！
alway
2015.07.27
写给未来的自己
我在用人生的25分之一做场游戏。这时的你应该高考了吧，你收到这封邮件应该是你最后一次登入电脑。哦也不多说了，你要去复习了，good luck！
n924
2015.07.15
写给未来的…
又是一个月，过得还不错吧，上次叫你别怂可能你现在还没改掉这个毛病但是别灰心，一年过得很快，马上要考试了，↖(^ω^)↗加油，记住，你爱她……
n1477
2016.05.15
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