When you meet Aiden Wilkins, it's hard to believe he is only nine years old. He has the smile of a little boy but the mind of a scientist. While most kids his age are in fourth grade, Aiden is already taking college-level neuroscience classes at Ursinus College in Pennsylvania. He is also a high-school sophomore.
At just two years old, Aiden could read words on traffic signs that no one had ever taught him. His mother, Veronica Wilkins, remembers being amazed. She said that even before preschool, Aiden could sound out words and understand what they meant. That was the moment she realized her little boy had a special gift.
From then on, Aiden’s curiosity only grew stronger. He loved to read and to learn new things. He often surprised adults by asking really deep questions about how the world works. Today, Aiden spends time on a real college campus, sitting in lecture halls and learning about how the human brain works. Professors at Ursinus College have praised his focus and curiosity. They say he is driven, enthusiastic, and eager to learn. Classmates who are much older often forget that the quiet student taking notes beside them is only nine.
Even with big dreams, Aiden is still a regular kid at heart. He loves playing soccer, enjoying video games, and spending time with his friends. His family says that when he is not studying, he is laughing, playing, and living the life of any other child his age.
When Aiden talks about the future, he speaks with incredible maturity. In an interview with NBC10 Philadelphia, he said, "The reason why I want to be a pediatric neurosurgeon is mainly because I like helping kids around my age.”
“Ever since I was three, I would watch an anatomy video and was always fascinated when I saw the brain,” he told People Magazine.
Veronica Wilkins said, “It is exciting because he is making history and he feels great. I think it is so important to be seen and heard.” She says that every day with Aiden is an adventure and that she learns as much from him as he learns from his teachers.
Aiden’s story has inspired people across the country. He is the youngest student ever to take classes at Ursinus College, according to Afrotech. But for Aiden, it's not about being the youngest. It's about working hard and helping others. He said, “What I really want people to know is that from my story all you have to do is put in work to do whatever you want.”
Aiden says he knows the road ahead will not be easy, but he is ready. He wants to finish high school early, attend medical school, and become a pediatric neurosurgeon. He hopes one day to open his own clinic to help children with brain conditions. For now, Aiden is enjoying every step of the journey. He is proving that even someone small can make a big difference.