Summer before college;Expectations

I just moved into my freshman dorm, and I’ve had a lot of time to reflect and think about the summer I just had.  Through the few months I had been transiting from High School to college I've done a lot of soul searching, and honestly just trying to figure out what to expect. 

When looking through social media, you see tons of people talking about dorm decoration, extravagant senior trips, and people starting an entire “factory reset” and trying to change their entire identity.  I went to the beach with a group of friends in North Carolina, shopped for what seemed like an endless cycle of dorm “essentials”, and honestly considered buying an entire new wardrobe.  

I will admit I got extremely caught up in the excitement, and anxiety of moving away, and probably tapped into all the overconsumption side of college.  These last few days I've spent packing, and moving into my dorm. I've realized there are more important things you could be doing with the summer before college.  

Everybody says that when you go to college you will learn how to be independent, and start to think for yourself more.  But what's to be said about doing that before college?  Something I tried to do the month or so leading up to move in day, was become more comfortable with independence.  I went to get coffee and snacks on my own, went shopping, and tried to pick up some more personal hobbies like, journaling and reading.  In my mind, the more comfortable I am with myself, and being alone, the easier it would be to make quality friends, and not settle for people that don't accept me for myself.  I hope to be able to say no to things that don't interest me, as well as trying new things.  I'll be able to enjoy alone time and be at peace with myself.

Only time will tell what happens, and if all this thinking was for nothing.  I'm positive the transition to college won't be entirely seamless, but hopefully taking some of the pressure off will help with being more authentic, and enjoying my freshman year.