Still a n00b, but learning/reading

So I've been reading the threads in the New Players section. The only quest I have left on my first character is to rescue the ranger north of the wall, (I've done everything I came across).
I know I need a group for that, no biggie.
My confusion comes when reading the "Road to Level 10". To the best of my knowledge I've never been in Post-Searing Ascalon and Lion's Arc or The Academy. Does that come after the rescue quest? Or is it part of it? all of that is after the academy
until the academy you are in the tutorial

edit

i never went across the wall before entering the academy
it is completely optional
you should be at least level 6-7 before entering the academy in my opinion

also get all the free skills you can to save skill points later

all of that is after the academy
until the academy you are in the tutorial

edit

i never went across the wall before entering the academy
it is completely optional
you should be at least level 6-7 before entering the academy in my opinion

also get all the free skills you can to save skill points later Thanks!
I'm currently 7.5-ish.

Now to read and find out where this Academy thing comes from and how to get there...