Posted October 23, 2026 in Alumni Profile
We recently caught up with Lawrence 2025 alum Nathan Risman, a student at the University of Miami, to talk about his journey from high school to college! Nathan shared how mastering self-advocacy at Lawrence prepared him for college life, the key study strategies that keep him on track, and how he navigated the leap to independent campus living.
Looking back on your time at Lawrence—starting all the way back in 4th grade—what are some of your favorite memories?
Oh wow, there’s a ton! A lot of great memories on the soccer team with my friends, especially in the summer before the season starts during preseason practices. I had a lot of great memories in music class too. I was in the band, and I played the piano. It was very enjoyable working with all the guys in there to learn new songs and play them for events like the Coffeehouse. Those were some really great memories. Also, just spending time with friends in between classes, during recess, and at lunch.
How did your time at Lawrence, and the friends you met here and the teachers you had, help shape the person you are today?
The support and love from everyone at Lawrence really shaped who I am, especially my ability to talk to people and how I present myself. I want to carry that forward. The way everyone made me feel is how I try to treat everybody.
What specific skill or study strategy did you learn at Lawrence that’s really helped you so far in college?
Lawrence really prepared me well when it comes to studying. I was introduced to tools like Quizlet, as well as resources like QuillBot from English class. In one of my classes senior year, they taught a study method called the Pomodoro technique, where you set a timer for 20 minutes, work for those 20 minutes, and then take a five-minute break to reset before getting back to work. It really helps you retain information better.
Another technique was explaining the subject you’re learning out loud. The idea is that if you can explain it, you actually understand it. You can talk through it out loud to yourself, write it down in your own words, or explain it to someone else.
Can you talk about how Lawrence helped with advocacy, and bringing that over to the University of Miami?
Advocacy is huge—being able to seek out my own accommodations. It's been very important at Miami because you have to do everything yourself. You have to go to their accommodations website, schedule your appointments, and request extra time for tests at the testing center. Lawrence made that process familiar: asking for help, emailing teachers, and advocating for yourself.
Was Miami always your dream school?
It was! I'm a third-generation Miami student—my dad went to school here, and my grandparents on my dad’s side actually met on campus. On top of carrying on that tradition, they have a great business school with the exact major I wanted, and the weather is amazing. A lot of great factors went into the decision, and I’m very happy with where I ended up. I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else.
What are you majoring in, and what do you hope to do after graduation?
I’m majoring in real estate and minoring in architecture. After graduation, I hope to go into the real estate business, possibly working with my family in commercial and residential real estate.
You're in your second year now. How would you sum up your college experience so far?
It’s been great, though it was a huge adjustment from high school. The first couple of months were rough, as I’m sure they are for most college freshmen, but I found my group of friends, found what I’m interested in, and things have been going really well.
What was the biggest culture shock moving from Lawrence to Miami?
The main thing was the sudden abundance of freedom. At Lawrence, accommodations were seamlessly built in. If you needed extra test time, you could just ask. In college, you have to manage all those appointments yourself. Taking full ownership of those responsibilities was a big change, but it was an important life skill to learn. Living on my own and dealing with initial homesickness was also a big adjustment.
What was the hardest part about managing your own time at first, and how did you master it?
The hardest part was simply forgetting obligations. I would schedule a meeting and completely lose track of time. To fix that, I started using a calendar consistently—entering all my tasks, keeping track of deadlines, and checking items off as I finish them. That made a huge difference.
What kind of non-academic activities or clubs have you been a part of?
I joined the club tennis team and met a lot of great friends through that. I also attend a lot of campus events and conferences, like a recent talk by Ken Griffin. I find those really interesting and try to stay involved, along with going to tailgates on game days.
Speaking of football, what was the energy on campus like during last season’s national championship game?
It was electric—everyone was going crazy. When they lost, it was devastating, but leading up to it was pretty special. And I actually got to go to the game! They used a raffle system for tickets, and I was lucky enough to win one.
Looking back at who you were on move-in day as a freshman versus today as a sophomore, what’s the biggest way you’ve grown?
My ability to speak up independently. Before college, if I had a doctor’s appointment, I would rely on my mom to answer questions because I didn’t know the details. Now, I handle all those adult responsibilities on my own. Coming in as a freshman, I was much more skittish and nervous about basic day-to-day interactions, so independence has been my biggest area of growth.
When people in Miami ask where you’re from, what do you find yourself telling them about Cleveland or Lawrence?
Whenever I say I’m from Cleveland, people judge it right away. It gets a bad rep for whatever reason. I always tell them it’s an amazing place to live. The people are great, it’s not overcrowded, the cost of living is fantastic, and you have access to incredible schools like Lawrence. I’m always proud to say I’m from Cleveland.
What advice would you give to a current Lawrence student, especially someone struggling with a learning difference?
It’s tough in the moment knowing you face extra challenges with a learning difference, but it can really end up being a benefit. Once you work through those hard parts—for me, it was reading with dyslexia—it opens your eyes to things most people wouldn’t think about. Once you understand how learning works best for you, you can apply that mindset to every other aspect of your life. It really ends up being a blessing.
If you could go back and give your high school self one piece of advice, what would that be?
Don’t worry so much about what other people think. Just do what makes you happy. High school went by so quickly, and I spent so much time worrying about how things would affect my college preparation that I missed out on enjoying the moment. Academic focus is important, but don’t overdo it.
If you were to pitch Lawrence to a prospective parent, what would you tell them about the school?
I would tell them it’s an incredible place for growth, especially for anyone with learning differences or social skills they want to build. It’s a safe learning space for any student who is struggling in a large public school where extra help isn’t as readily available. It’s a special school and absolutely worth a shot.