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你好你好
现在是20210320，这封信寄到的时候，离中考还有一个月吧。不知道你那时候还会不会经常打开QQ邮箱查看收件箱呢(｀・ω・´)
Sunnier
2021.03.20
未来的李新婷
收到这封信你已经高考毕业，我是2021年的李宇洋，高考后会相爱嘛，会联系嘛，还会相遇嘛，会彼此忘记嘛，2021年就爱上你啦欧耶
n6423
2021.02.09
写给未来的我 现在的你在哪里，考上了吗
现在你可以考虑选专业的问题，学英语具体有什么用，学到什么程度？将来就业怎么就业，具体的工作你想做什么呢？这个时候就是时候思考了
苦行僧
2020.04.24
你好(｡･∀･)ﾉﾞ嗨
而是一份来自过去的信，相信这个时候已经是非常紧张的准高三了。希望你能好好学习，记住，你背后永远有人支持你！(づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ
n4856
2020.03.17
写给未来的…
开学第二天，天谴时间过去了，表示心理暗示法好像有效了，不过还是一样的时间短中考顺利啊未来的我2月15号的你为你祝福13:08
过去的星奇
2017.02.20
Dear. Self
无论阴晴，结局都会好的，高考我来了。现在的你，希望在巴黎咖啡店喝下午茶，吃甜点，或者和我们的老公一起度假，无论贫富，幸福即好
蝉翼如水
2013.03.24
三年后的刘学敏
两年后的刘学敏，马上就要高考啦！你是开心呢，开心呢，还是开心呢ヽ(○^㉨^)ﾉ♪在高考考场里的你会是怎么样的呢？我拭目以待
n6513
2021.02.15
我操，你还是这个屌样？！
诶，放寒假啦？还记得暑假的事不?银魂看得爽不爽?给老子好好学习！马上就高考了最后一个假期别搞得还不好好写作业！听到没？！
n180
2013.08.07
写给未来的自己
嗨，还好吗兄弟？中考成绩出来了吧？我没别的想说的，反正说什么都没有用了。还是那句话，你对得起任何人，唯独对不起你自己！
贰拾肆
2022.06.05
Time was over.
您是否觉得后悔了？还敢看自己的分数吗？妄想症好点了吗？县城还是市区？记住，在把AVG做出来之前都不能放松。2025年见
23333
2021.12.25
我
高考完了吗？？别担心，先回家看看爸妈，再看看鬼畜，联系一下冯。不要担心，一切都是最好的安排，就算不是，那也是我的锅
n7670
2022.01.23
写给未来的…
把每天安排的妥妥当当 安下心认认真真的去做一件事的感觉很好 我甚至相信未来的光芒 我触手可及 6月！
wuutoise周迪威
2013.03.16
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