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自己
看什么看，快中考了吧你，不给我好好考就弄死你，你知不知道这对你来说有多重要，考不好真的就完蛋了，好好考，我相信你，忘记从前的一切，专注中考
n2045
2017.05.06
文章
你变帅了吗，你有钱了吗，你还爱ta吗，你成绩好了吗……无论怎么样，2018过得够憋屈2019也不要这样2020加油吧，中考等着你！！！
n3945
2019.01.02
未来的木子
高考结束了，我希望你可以更好的开始新的生活，好好学习，不要欺负妈妈！好好待妈妈！不许气妈妈，每天亲妈妈一口！！！！！！爱你加油哦木子
_Happenlemon
2018.11.07
写给未来的…
7月了，过不了几天就要放暑假了，暑假要努力呦，要备战艺考了，记得临走时向她道别一下，向去年一样，偷偷牵一下她的手，你深爱着她，王雨心
n1477
2016.05.15
写给未来的…
今天的你已经考完高考了吧！感觉怎么样。不管你考的怎么样，希望你在以后在回忆17，18岁的青春是有奋斗的回忆。2020年11月29日
2733386259
2020.11.29
写给未来的…
今天的你已经考完高考了吧！感觉怎么样。不管你考的怎么样，希望你在以后在回忆17，18岁的青春是有奋斗的回忆。2020年11月29日
2733386259
2020.11.29
坚持已久的梦想实现了吗
厦大？成绩达到了吗？还好吧？现在过得好吗？现在的你一定很感激当初那么努力的自己吧傻瓜真的要开始新的生活咯开心嘛？哈哈哈要爱自己!!
就想赖着晨和爽
2014.10.03
给未来的你和我
hhhhhh到那时你们应该不会在一起了吧。希望在这时会看到一中的录取通知书，你买了dear files吗？希望你买了！嗯就这样吧~
alway
2014.07.26
离高考100天
开学了，高考前的最后的假期，100天我是逆转还是从顺，不管这么多，马上到学校了，不管怎么样，相信你，一定可以的，加油，别忘了初心
n6746
2021.02.28
七.
没想错的话，现在我已经大一了，这十二年的坚持，拼搏，努力，奋斗，也终于有了一个短暂的小结尾。感谢这么拼命的自己，也感谢身边的人。
年年
2019.01.01
写给未来的…
你好：这时的你可能也已经高考完了吧，或许你很是担心吧。先不说成绩如何，恐怕前几天自己也是在紧张中度过的吧，嘿嘿嘿，看我多了解你。
n3248
2018.06.13
写给未来的信
hello今天是高考出分的日子你做的真的很棒了加油对了，不要忘记给2023年五一青秀山之旅的 那个当时喜欢的人 报一声平安鸭！
n8508
2023.05.02
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