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We’re hard at work on Creative Loafing’s inaugural College Guide (hitting stands next week — be there!). But here’s something we found on the cutting room floor:

The Political Progression
For countless college students, the pattern is the same: You show up in the fall freshman year still mastering object permanence, and you leave four years later jaded and cynical. But it’s not about the destination — it’s about the journey. Here’s what you have to look forward to:

Freshman Year
About two weeks into school, you’ll realize “hey — there are some people on this planet getting screwed over.” You and your friends will spend long evenings discussing your privilege or ragging on other kids more privileged than you. Spring semester, you join the campus ACLU chapter.

Sophomore Year
Time to take action. Maybe the janitors are up for a new contract, maybe the city is ripping out some trees, maybe the president has a big speech coming up. Either way, you’re on the streets. By the end of the year, you’re leading the “Tell me what democracy looks like” chants. Once in a while, before a big rally, you dress up in all black, but the anarchist crew scares you. You change.

Junior Year
You take a semester abroad, discover incredibly cheap beer and a very attractive foreigner who has an accent. You get back to school, go to a protest here and there, but your heart’s not in it anymore. Sure, the custodians could use some help. But can that really compete with some ex-pat lovin’?

Senior Year
Watching the little sophomores run around with their placards makes you cringe. You can’t wait to get out of school, get out in the real world, and spend most of the year talking about how “over” college you are. About two weeks before graduation, you realize the real world is going to suck and take whatever job you can get. Often, these jobs are at companies that you have railed against. You ignore the irony.

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