I would say return everything that you can. Buy an inexpensive mask, fins (and booties if needed), snorkel and weight belt with a nice metal buckle. MAKE SURE EVERYTHING FITS YOU PROPERLY! Use the gear they provide in the class. Rent all of your gear for your first 25 dives or so until you figure out which direction diving is going to take you. By that time you will have a better understanding of the equipment and your needs out of that equipment.

It seems like you are doing the classic putting the wagon before the horse. It also sounds like you are reading a lot of the ads in your scuba magazines and such. Don't do that, as they are trying to sell you things you don't want or need. Those ads are made by marketing people and not divers.

I hope you are not discouraged by what I am saying to you, I am just trying to keep you from spending a ton of money for gear you are going to end up replacing with the proper gear later.

If you have any more questions or need additional details, let me know as I would love to help you out.