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写给高考后的自己
你现在已经高考完了，心里应该知道怎么样了，无论如何这六个月都是你自己的选择，任何时候都别放弃，要一直加油一直努力
Sheep梓阳
2022.01.12
给高二阶段的信
嗝 你文理科应该选的文科吧？还好吗？能不能背会啊？实在不行学特长呗 是不哈哈哈哈 加油啊无论如何别放弃啊真的是。
也许还在
2020.11.28
for future xinky part.37
第三十七天，体育考【我还能说什么、狂哭】昨天说不能够天天晴空万里，今天就....3.22 20:39
过去的星奇
2017.03.22
hello
跟李剑钿还在一起吗，有没有又分手了，中考考得怎样，五十名有了吗。跟奸细如果还在一起的话要好好的，祝唐晓琳高中快乐
Tagxln
2016.02.10
无归期
这个时候的你可能已经快要高考了吧 应该也忘掉了马慧杰吧 李婷婷和你还是好朋友吗 杨亿雪呢 四川外国语大学 加油
n5816
2020.11.28
你大学毕业了
现在是4年前，高考刚刚结束，4年后的你是什么样的啊？还在喜欢SHINee吗？他们还好吗？已经是14年老人团啦。
金钟铉de小情人
2017.06.09
for future xinky part.97
第九十七天，又遇一梦，十分孤单，此梦何解？梦见我一人考试回家，没人陪我聊天，都有事qaq5.23 22:02
过去的星奇
2017.06.01
致大学毕业后的你
我大学四年，一共有三个愿望。一愿考上心理学研究生，二愿练好古筝，三愿瘦到100斤，把自己塞进旗袍里！！！！
冬日的阳光
2017.04.05
游戏对你高考成绩影响大吗？
高考完了，你想去的大学达到了吗？是受什么影响呢？未来的你，还好吗？有没有把游戏给抹去，为了她，也为了他。
n6898
2021.04.03
写给未来的…
大三了，毕业实习了吗，生活过得怎么样了，有没有未来的目标了，身边的恋人是谁呢，要不断努力下去哟，生日快乐
n4785
2020.02.28
给未来的自己
哈哈，这个时候应该已经高考考完了吧，不知道你有没有考上自己想去的大学。希望自己每天开开心心的吧，哈哈。
n5885
2020.11.28
至王彦
我是十天前的你，这是你拼搏的第十天，离高考还有90天，希望你能做到不留遗憾请一定一定要拼尽全力啊！！！
了不起的帅彦彦
2020.02.29
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