Welcome to the Asylum!
2 cents, entirely subjective & with way too much pathos:
Try not to fret too much about the first year - in my experience, it can be overwhelming at times, but in hindsight, I also fretted way too much about it all. And while it may not always feel that way, 'stretching your wings' is FUN! (and mostly happens without you consciously noticing)
Also, all those metaphors about 'jumping in the stream' etc. are right: You can paddle a bit to choose which part of the current you want to be in, but it's the current that carries you.
No way to plan beforehand how to be the person that comes out of that process, that deals with all the challenges and knows exactly what they want - Best to "let 'it' find you", and not fret too much except about the stuff you have immediate control over.