What is it with first year?

So I'm in my first year of uni. I came to uni a year late whereas all my friends went straight into it and the hype was unbelievable I mean, you'd think the uni was paying them the way first year was raved about and why not right? Moving out. Doing your own thing away from your parents. Freedom! Personally I've been raised in a very liberal family and non of this has really been a big thing for me. If anything so far my first year hasn't had any of this, just a lot of worrying about making a good impression and getting my work done. 

I think that the way I interact with my family and friends, side note I adore them all, combined with this first year hype has slightly hindered my experience in comparison with my fellow students. It's all about going out and having a laugh which yeah I get but at the same time it feels so much like everyone has been given this "freedom" and now their actual level of maturity and their perception of their own maturity just don't match. They're trying too hard. I mean yeah I know I said I'm worrying about making a good impression but I'm not letting that hinder me just being me and having a good time. 

I'm more than open to the idea that it's all just me but is anyone else getting this impression too? A year in age is nothing proportionally but is that what it is? I don't want to be one of those people that constantly goes first year means nothing just need a pass because that's not what this is really about, more peoples attitudes to the whole idea of student living and effectively growing up. I'm in this student life bubble and it just makes it a bit difficult for everyone I think to look at things from just a normal adult perception. I myself am struggling. We don't need to grow up this fast surely?

I just don't really understand what it is with first year yet. 

So if any of you have been thinking the same way or maybe disagree completely then comment below, great to hear some insight :)