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中考
汕头中考要到了 看看我将来可以去到哪个学校 加油吧
2704588127
2025.09.06
写给未来的我
HI高中生涯最后一节信息课。HOW ARE YOU
207HZW
2018.06.21
写给未来的…
我现在高一，16岁，十年后的我你现在对自己满意吗？
n1495
2016.05.21
Dear Belinda
中考已然结束考的如何一切已成ending 忘了他
NEVER
2016.05.22
写给10年后的自己
写给十年后的袁鑫悦，你在备战高考吗？在努力吗？
用户7394046532
2020.02.17
写给未来的我
现在的我高二，没有好好学习，那时的我后悔了么？
n1512
2016.06.04
高
不知道也后会怎么样 ，我只希望你过得开心，高
你好
2018.01.16
呵呵呵，高盼
中考考了多少？考上了哪个高中？现在怎么样？
n7177
2021.06.10
高考你准备好了吗
距离高考206天，6.1号的你准备好了吗
16岁时的骁哥哥
2016.11.13
致一年后的自己
傻逼，考试考的怎么样了~不会让我失望吧！
梁A源
2014.04.03
高考过后
hi，你，考上清华，北大，或是复旦了吗？
free
2013.08.07
当年的志向实现了吗？
谷底敢想摘星梦，高考应该成功了吧。
shayuhua
2022.12.13
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