NTU - view from the 'front'

Digressing away from the topic of babies a bit. I was at NTU Auditorium yesterday. It has been ages since I last went to NTU. Memories flood back as I walk along the North spine. I was speechless not because of the physical change that she has went through. Although I am so happy to see the change. But as I drive across the library, halls, the carparks even, I let the memories sink as I enjoy the feeling of deja vu.
I was not popular or anything back in NTU. In fact, I only had a small circle of friends. But even an isolated table at a corner where I used to shelter to do my tutorials while waiting for another class is a moment that I will keep forever in my heart.
The way I look at the school now is different then when I was studying there. Now, almost 4 years since I graduated, I found it a place that only the real smart and innovative made it there. It's funny and unbelievable that I went through my 4 years there. Then, NTU was just this really big place that I need to shuffle back and forth from North spine to south spine just to clear one tutorial to another. Being part of the entity make you look at things in a close range perspective. All I cared about is that I ace my exams, projects.
As an outsider now, who is going to be studying in NIE for the coming 1 year, I see NTU as a place of opportunity. To grow, explore and seek. Not just academically. I know that sounds somthing you can read from an orientation pamphlet.
But really, I wished I had seen the meaning of it all 8 years ago when I started my journey there. SOund like regret? No. Because exploring and seeking will not guarantee me a better grade. It's just that, I want to learn more lessons. This could be coming from someone who is no longer part of NTU population or she just learn that learning things in the real world is harder.