I was 17 when I was in my first year, turned 18 in December. I've never heard of being assigned a monitor to follow students around. I just needed my parents to sign a waiver. I wasn't treated any differently from any of the other students and the only thing I couldn't do was drink in the college bar. Even then, if I had wanted to, they wouldn't be able to tell I was 17 (not to say I have done this).
I'd understand if you were much younger, but when you're 17 you're pretty much an adult and at the same level as everyone else.
Which university is this?