The Grad-School Exam Year: Write to the You Who Made It Through
Preparing for the graduate entrance exam is a different kind of hard. In high school, the whole class suffered together; this time it's usually just you — claiming the same library seat at dawn, reciting until closing time, wondering at midnight whether any of it is worth it. From summer through December, exam takers come here to write: to the self who'll see the scores in February, to the self walking out of the final interview, or — for those on their second or third attempt — to a self they simply hope is doing okay, whatever happened. One line shows up in these letters again and again: "I don't know if I'll make it, but I want future-me to remember that I really tried." If you're deep in prep right now, or just walked out of the exam hall, write this moment down. The letters below come from people who walked the same road and chose to share. Read a few, then write yours — the you who already knows the result will be grateful to the you who didn't quit.
Ideas to get you started
- Record where you are right now: which chapter you're on, how many practice sets you've done, what time you got up today. Those numbers become the most solid keepsake.
- Say something to the you who didn't pass, too. What should that person do next? A backup plan written in advance is the kindest safety net.
- Write down why you chose this school and this field. Whether or not you end up there, that reason deserves to be remembered.
- Schedule delivery for results day or the first day of grad school — one more reason to see this through.
Real letters from the vault
145 public letters自己
那时你已大三，相信这两年你度过的每一天都是充实的。考研也已经做足了准备，相信内蒙古大学的大门会向我敞开。
n3247
Jun 12, 2018 · Traveled 2 years
惊不惊喜 意不意外
小宝咋样了？笔试成绩出来喽！小宝进面了吧？我想，一定进了！过去的这几个月肯定奋斗了吧，辛苦喽！即使没辞职，好日子也要来喽！ 对了，未来的大黑怎么样，有没有陪你一起奋斗？肯定也进面了吧？对小宝这一家之主还是一如既往的呵护吧！我想肯定是的！祝福未来的大黑夫妇喽！要幸福！
2018年的敏哥
Jul 18, 2018 · Traveled 10 months 14 days
Photo letter
TO 2019.1.1的你
这是一封写给2019.1.1的范梓锋的信，为什么不说写给我自己呢！因为我感觉现在的只是我，而不是范梓锋。2017年2月份的时候，我写过一封给自己1年后的信，我那时信心满满，以为自己可以完成自己信中的所有目标，显然，没有！没有！没有！那些目标其实很简单，只需要坚持，就基本能达到，就像活着，活着活着，不
看马戏的团长
Aug 15, 2018 · Traveled 4 months 17 days
写给未来的…
2018年9月2日10:58:59你好，你最近买了台电脑你最近没有健身，现在去了没有你很久没有看书，在准备考研没有你上次买的相机，给你带来了多大的便利？虽然不想问，但是你的年纪到了，你现在有对象吗？我把寄信时间改成了一个月之后，那个时候你就要选择你的报考学校了你准备好了没有？段宇？
dy2015678
Sep 2, 2018 · Traveled 1 month
写给未来一个月的自己
给一个月后的自己：一个月说长不长说短不短，我相信一个月后的自己会更坚强善良大 方。我更希望自己上了李军老师的英语秋季班后加上自身的努力成绩 会有所上升！！加油！
彼岸蔷薇
Sep 16, 2018 · Traveled 1 month
平安夜前会是什么样的心情
收到信的时候不管参没参加考研，考试的时间结束了，这一段时间，会很苦吧。应该会有一点收获的。希望你能考上，现在的你应该算搞懂的曲线曲面积分了吧。正在攻克无穷级数，希望也会顺遂。马上回单位了，一定可以抓紧时间的。英语政治该开始了。不算自己的分数了，希望越高越好，看着电路基础不难，希望可以考到120分吧，
转头空川星
Oct 4, 2018 · Traveled 2 months 20 days
写给50天后的自己
保持平和心态，努力备考，保持体型和健康，对家人和球球、小馒头更好。
n3570
Oct 23, 2018 · Traveled 1 month 20 days
积懈怠以成深渊
看吧，半个学期马上就要过去了，你已经没有退路了，别再有任何的懈怠，想要有成就可不是嘴上说说就可以的，必须要付出超过寻常人的努力，别想着复读什么的，我想信你可以一次过，我想信你可以考上深大。记住，积懈怠以成深渊，积硅步以成千里
AhhhhhhLin
Oct 28, 2018 · Traveled 3 days
100天后
hello！strong！what about your examine ?your English is pass? how many words do you stand?northeast normal university !
n3677
Nov 21, 2018 · Traveled 3 months
Photo letter
给未来的自己
写给100天的自己努力的阿枝，100天后，希望你的英语阅读有所提高，以及你的口语可以更加大胆的说出来，学习是一件值得一生都做的事情，100天后，不知道你去旅行了么？你去了泰国，或者马来西亚。现在的你考研进行到那一步了，英语扎实的情况下，你想学习的小语种如何了？你才22岁，可以成为任何你想成为的人。做
n3842
Dec 21, 2018 · Traveled 3 months 15 days
给未来的杨阳
致25岁的杨阳：你好呀~写下这封信的起因是看了摄影师林海音的历程，而我又恰好处于迷茫阶段。在考研和摄影之间犹豫着，不知道自己的未来会怎样，不知道自己该怎样选择未来的路。但是看了林海音的故事自己仿佛有了选择。未来很长，所以我只把这封信给25岁的自己，希望那时的自己成为了自己想要成为的人。现在的我20岁
n3936
Dec 28, 2018 · Traveled 5 years
考完教招笔试的金元宝
考的怎么样？成绩出来了吧？满意不？毕竟现在的要求是第一，做到了没? 哈哈哈哈，我就知道不是一般人，一个笔试能难得倒你吗，面试加油哦！ 什么不是第一？你个辣鸡，嫌弃脸。。。笔试进了吧?没关系，就几分肯定能够抢回来的，不过笔试加油！ 连笔试都没进的话。。。。我就不想说啥了，您随缘。。。。。
安然雨kim
Jan 28, 2019 · Traveled 3 months
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I write it, and when should it arrive?
Most people write mid-prep or right after the written exam, and schedule delivery for results day (late February) or the start of grad school (September). Even in the busiest stretch, a letter only takes fifteen minutes.
What if I don't pass — won't the letter hurt to read?
Repeat test-takers often say the opposite: seeing how hard past-you fought brings closure, not pain. You can also write a few lines specifically for the you who didn't make it — comfort only present-you can give.
Isn't writing a letter a distraction from studying?
Treat it as a check-in with yourself: put your goal, your progress, and your fears on paper, and most people come away steadier. Delivery within a year is completely free.
The Grad-School Exam Year: Write to the You Who Made It Through
Write yours