High intelligence, whether expressed in cognitive abilities such as the capacity to generalize, conceptualize, or reason abstractly, or in specific abilities such as creative behavior, results from the interaction between inherited and acquired characteristics. This interaction encompasses all of the physical, mental, and emotional characteristics of the person and all of the people, events, and objects entering the person’s awareness. Our reality is unique to each of us.

Gifted children often lead double lives. Intellectually, they may seem like small, eccentric adults, and they may prefer the company of adults, but in many ways they are still children. For this reason, many gifted education experts have doubts about letting gifted students start college several years early. In this talk, you will hear about my experience entering a college environment at age 13. You’ll hear about my successes and failures, the way I interact with the professional and academic world, and what I am learning now as an ex-gifted adult. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at

“ If you’re a teacher, consider incorporating TEDTalks into your courses. Distributed under a Creative Commons license, TEDTalks are freely available for use in the classroom — just credit the source and don’t distort the speakers’ intended meaning.”

Gifted Resources: Curriculum

About the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need.

Scholars of Distinction The Minnesota Scholars of Distinction Award Program recognizes distinguished achievement by highly motivated, self-directed students in:LeadershipMathematicsScienceSocial StudiesScience, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)Theater Arts