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写给未来的…
嗨！生日快乐。最近过的怎么样？20岁的天空是怎么样的呀！20岁了，现在的日子还是和之前一样过的那样漫无目的、得过且过，还是已经在路上？那只快乐的沙雕现在在你身边吗？好像你也只有在和那个沙雕在一起的时候才会真正的快乐、轻松。如果没有的话加油呀！真的希望20岁以后的日子，每一天那只沙雕都会在你的身边转圈
世墨
Aug 8, 2020 · Traveled 6 months 24 days
寄给--最爱羊仔的宝贝栗子
不知道现在你怎么样了呢？会不会还因为碰到了烦心事就难过的想哭呢？其实今天我好伤心的，因为好多事情吧，室友都有事情干，只有我闲着，而且我也没有好好利用空闲时间做些什么，国创，科研，不想敲代码，数学学得怀疑人生，数据结构学了就忘，真的好难过呀；本来我是可以再坚持坚持的，但是今天逛微博超话看见碎玉投珠要拍
n5236
Sep 25, 2020 · Traveled 1 month
Photo letter
给三个月后的自己
你好呀，三个月后的自己！三个月过去了，有没有感觉到改变呢？有没有真正的体会到自己是一个大学生呢？有没有适应大学的生活节奏，找到合适的学习方法呢？有没有跟新舍友打成一片，一起肆无忌惮的大笑呢？ 太多的问题想问，太多的事情想了解。这大概就是现在的我吧，思想跳脱，满心好奇，怀着对大学的憧憬，什么都想做，什
n5258
Oct 6, 2020 · Traveled 2 months 25 days
只能和你聊聊了
现在是距离考研两月零15天，今天早晚的学习效率还行，中午不太行。最近几天都差不多效率不高。 但还是坚持在看保持一定的知识学习，只是自己太爱胡思乱想了，什么都能想好久，注意力不能集中。 脑子里总是在问考不上咋办。不知道，我到底能不能考上，不知道。我很焦虑，我担心我考不上，我重蹈覆辙，找工作找归宿。真的
一定考上啊
Oct 12, 2020 · Traveled 5 years
Photo letter
只能和你聊聊了
现在是距离考研两月零15天，今天早晚的学习效率还行，中午不太行。最近几天都差不多效率不高。 但还是坚持在看保持一定的知识学习，只是自己太爱胡思乱想了，什么都能想好久，注意力不能集中。 脑子里总是在问考不上咋办。不知道，我到底能不能考上，不知道。我很焦虑，我担心我考不上，我重蹈覆辙，找工作找归宿。真的
一定考上啊
Oct 12, 2020 · Traveled 5 years
Photo letter
写给未来的自己
未来的你：你好！ 韶光易逝，光阴一成不变的走过春夏秋冬，雪雨风霜，彼时的我的脸上应该有了细密的皱纹和泛着银丝的头发，这些都是我曾经奋斗留下的证据。 未来的我或许正在对着一堆仪器仔细分析数据也或许正在整理一些资料，以便更好地应对自己的工作。当然我对于此刻更多的或许都是现在的我对于未来更多的畅想，都是现
n5281
Oct 27, 2020 · Traveled 1 month 18 days
一年前的你来骚扰了
嘿，你好，我是一年前的你。现在哈，此时此刻，我的心情不错。难得想在心情不错的时候给你写东西。我诚心地希望你也是如此。你应该在考研，北大或者北师大的心理学专硕。北大还是北师大我还不知道，不过你肯定知道了，然后在心里默念一声“XX大，嘿嘿。”啊，刚刚溜号忘了，我是想写个信来激励你的。考研应该是很辛苦的，
南岭村
Oct 29, 2020 · Traveled 1 year
你好啊李陆鑫，来自三年前的你
你好啊李陆鑫，我是来自三年前的你呀。2020.11.20.8:23，哈哈你还记得这个时候吗，三年前也就是我给你写这封信的时候，你还没有走出一名叫薛晓晓的女生的阴影，不知道现在的你怎样了，我相信一定是一个阳光大光，有明确目标并为之奋斗的学生吧，嗯对一定是这样加油呀。你当兵了吗，如果当上兵的话那真的要恭
n5434
Nov 27, 2020 · Traveled 3 years
来自臭猪蹄的信
哈哈，臭猪头，还有不到一个月你就考研了，现在的咱们两个正坐在九教，你在学习，而俺在快乐的玩耍，你肯定会如愿上岸，
n5862
Nov 28, 2020 · Traveled 3 years
写给未来的自己
嘿你好，未来的你今天是2020年的11月29日凌晨十三分你在抽着烟迷茫着，未来的你这个时间在干什么呢？会不会还在迷茫啊？希望你想要的都能努力争取到，现在的你也不年轻了吧？有没有和喜欢的人在一起呢？有没有做这喜欢的事呢？或者说你还是一个人单身着，碌碌无为的生活方式今天距离考研还有27天哦，你有考研成功
n5969
Nov 29, 2020 · Traveled 5 years
写给未来的自己
考研这个时候应该考了一天了，加油，希望到时候你依旧有我现在的信心和踌躇满志，时光不负有心人，别再后悔。
H致自己
Dec 27, 2020 · Traveled 1 year 11 months
2022年的考研人—杨天雨
现在是2021.1.20，杨天雨距离考研还有330天，专业是新闻与传播专硕，学校是辽宁工业大学。现在的你，过着每天都重复的生活，你坚信考研会让一切都好起来，可以摆脱现在的环境，去做自己想做的事情。嗨，一年后的自己，现在的你，已经复试完成了，拿到录取通知书了吧，身边陪着你的，会是她么。现在的你，坚信自
瞳孔i
Jan 20, 2021 · Traveled 1 year 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
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