I have always been a couple of steps ahead of my schoolmates and peers, not only in terms of scholastic pursuits, but in my opinions and desires as well.

ahead 是副词，由前缀 a-（表示"在...状态"）和 head（头部）组成，字面意思是"在头部的位置"，引申为"在前面、领先"的意思。这里表示在学业和思想方面都比同龄人更超前。