Going to college will probably be one of the most dramatic changes of your entire life. Gone are the days of living at home with mom and dad. Your circle of friends from high school has broken up and ventured to separate locations across the country. There’s no built-in set of friends and there definitely isn’t anybody keeping track of curfew.

This newfound freedom may be just what you’ve been looking for, but it’s a little intimidating, too. How can you possibly adjust and thrive in an environment where everything is completely new? Many college students would answer that question with one word: ALCOHOL. Whether its beer, liquor, or mixed drinks, there’s no denying that drinking is part of the college culture. Taken too far, alcohol use can result in some serious consequences and even the need for a criminal lawyer. It’s no wonder that some students prefer to stay away from drinking all together. So, are non-drinkers destined for four years of misery and loneliness? Definitely not! Lance Millis, a 20-year expert in the field of higher education, has offered five ways that students can fit in at college without picking up a drink.