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、前端"）组成，字面意思是"处于头部位置"，引申为"在前面、领先"的意思。这里表示在各方面都比别人更早达到某个阶段或水平。