In high school, if you're anything like me, you do a lot of things for your resumé. You joined certain clubs, did certain jobs or internships that would hopefully eventually get you into college. Sure you did activities you liked too but they weren't always the focus.
And when you're growing up, your parents have an enormous influence on you. When you're really little, like in preschool and elementary school, they decide who you have play dates with. And even when you get older, they decide if you go to temple or church or whatever your place of worship may be. Your parents often decide what activities you will do to make sure you'll have a solid college application. They're doing all of this to try and help you, but they're still controlling a lot of your life.
But when you go to college, you start making all of these decisions for yourself. Sure everyone has that first semester of terrible choices like solely eating junk food, staying up until 4 am, and going out way more then you should. But eventually, people settle down and figure out what they actually like to do now that it's entirely up to them.
Something that surprised me a little was that I sought out Jewish services in college. When I was at home growing up my parents would make my sister and I go Temple a few times a year. I didn't mind going but I still kind of thought of it as a chore since I didn't have a choice in the matter.
However, when I got to my university which is 20% Jewish, I started going to services for certain holidays and really enjoyed them. I even went home for some holidays because they wouldn't feel right without family. Now, I don't go to services every weekend or anything because I'm not all that religious. But I've become very proud of my Jewish heritage and I always feel the need and want to go to a service when an important holiday comes around.
Of course, religion is only one aspect that someone can realize they're more interested in at college. I also learned that I'm really into writing and photography, even more then I realized when I got here. You also discover what you don't like. And since you get to pick your major, you get to learn about who you truly are with other people that are similar to you.
So whoever you really are, under those layers of parental influence and resumé building will shine through once you start college. And that person only continues to grow.