Sir Gustav Nossal is a research biologist who has written seven books and more than 530 scientific articles. Nossal has served as president or chairman of many prominent organisations, including the Australian Academy of Science and the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation. He was knighted in 1977, made a Companion of the Order of Australia in 1989 and has received honours from sixteen countries. In 2000 he was appointed Australian of the Year.

Dear teenage Gus Nossal,

I am sending you this letter from my 84-year-old self with a few bits of advice as you buckle down to your second year of secondary school in case these few bits of wisdom can smooth the path of your next few years.

First, strive to learn rather than to shine. I know how ambitious you are and how annoyed you get if anyone beats you in an exam, no matter how trivial. But school shouldn’t be about coming first, it should be about learning, remembering and growing. What you cram for the exam goes in quickly, is forgotten just as quickly. When you learn the right way, reading beyond the immediate subject matter, enquiring of others their opinions in the area, this rounds you out as a person and forms part of your continuing upbringing.

Second, try to be a little less arrogant. I know often your arrogance is just part of showing off a bit, but it can be hurtful. OK, some people are not as bright as you, but they are people nevertheless, with feelings and sensitivities. Your thoughtlessness might hurt them much more than you think. Also, your parents don’t like it when you dismiss the views of their friends as silly or superficial. Learn to be open to all views: some of them might be more valuable than you think.

Thirdly, try to be a bit less untidy. Your handwriting is shocking, if you would just slow down a bit, there would be fewer smudges and it wouldn’t be so terribly hard to read. There’s no need to go around with spots all over your school uniform, and remember your long socks are supposed to come up to just below your knees, not to slump around your ankles. And making your bed in the morning wouldn’t hurt either. Gus, I know you are basically a good person, and life will gradually smooth off some of these rough edges, but being a bit less self-satisfied and a bit more conscious of the needs and desires of others will really help you. Good luck for your next few years, your final school examinations, and the university course that clearly lies ahead.

With best wishes

Your future self

Gus Nossal