Posted December 08, 2025 in Alumni Profile
We caught up with Lawrence 2023 alum Alyssa Collier, a junior at Ohio State University, about her college journey. She opened up about the biggest culture shocks, the skills she gained at Lawrence that she uses every day, and how she’s found her community as a Buckeye.
What has your experience at Ohio State been like so far?
First off, it’s crazy to think I’m more than halfway done with college; time flies so quickly. Overall, it’s been such an amazing and unique experience. Of course, college has its ups and downs, and challenges, which I’ve faced. But I’ve also made so many incredible memories and had so much happiness that I’ll cherish forever.
Tell us about your major and what you hope to do after graduation.
I’m a third-year finance major with a minor in American Sign Language. What’s great about a finance degree is how versatile it is. It’s a huge field, so I don’t feel constrained or restricted at all. Right now, I’m thinking I’d love to work in the finance department for a publishing company. Reading is one of my hobbies, and it would be amazing to work as a financial analyst for a large publishing firm like Penguin Books.
Given your minor in American Sign Language, how did Upper School ASL teacher Shannon Galambos influence your academic path?
She had such an immense impact on me. I looked forward to going to her class every day to learn sign language, the culture, and the history. She truly inspired me to get this minor and become fluent in it.
Last football season, I had a lucky and blessed opportunity. There’s a program where ASL students who’ve taken classes at OSU can sign the national anthem and “Carmen, Ohio” on the field before the game. It was a mind-blowing experience. I was on the field with other students and a professor, and we signed the national anthem and our alma mater. It’s one of my favorite memories, and it’s all thanks to her.
After Ohio State won the National Championship last season, what was the atmosphere and energy like on campus?
It was amazing, definitely a top-five memory from my time here. The whole campus was buzzing for months. It was so cool just to be there and be part of such a huge community. My friends and I watched the game together that night. Afterward, everyone was out on High Street, yelling, “Go Bucks!” and “O-H-I-O.” You could just feel the sense of community. Even though we’re a huge school, everyone comes together, and the pure excitement was incredible. I’ll always remember that night.
What was the biggest culture shock you experienced when you first arrived on campus?
The biggest shock was definitely the sheer size of the campus and the number of students. Coming from Lawrence, where my graduating class had only 40 kids, and I knew every one of them, I knew what I was getting into, but experiencing it firsthand was something else.
I remember my second day of classes. I walked into Independence Hall for macroeconomics, and it was a 500-person lecture. I was just like, ‘Whoa!’ I wasn’t used to that, but I absolutely loved it.
Are you involved in any extracurricular activities on campus?
Yes, I’m involved in a handful. I’m part of Greek life, specifically Delta Zeta. I’ve met so many great people there, and their philanthropy is the Starkey Hearing Foundation, which ties in with my ASL minor, which I think is really cool.
I’m also a part of College Mentors for Kids, an organization I absolutely love. We’re a nonprofit after-school program for elementary public schools in Columbus. Every week, we bus kids from first to sixth grade to campus. I’m a mentor, and I have a little buddy. Each week, a different Ohio State organization comes in to teach the kids about what they do.
The whole goal is to get these kids excited about higher education and encourage them to pursue their dreams. My little buddy this past year became so close to me. She told me she wants to be a doctor one day, and I know she’ll achieve it. It’s so rewarding to see the smiles on their faces and get them excited about what they want to do in the future.
What are some of your favorite memories from your years at Lawrence?
Probably my senior year ASL class. That group was so much fun, especially with Miss G. She truly brought the class to life. The people in the class and I all got along so well and had a blast, especially when we went to the Lower School to teach some of the kids ASL. That was such a great memory.
What do you miss most about Lawrence?
I miss the teachers most. I met so many great teachers there who definitely impacted my education and inspired me to always do better.
How did your experiences and relationships at Lawrence shape who you are today?
Going to Lawrence and meeting the people there definitely shaped who I am today. Since I started in second grade, I was there for a while and met so many different people and teachers. The community is so close and tight-knit; you know everyone and feel comfortable with everyone, especially the teachers.
In the beginning, I struggled with some of the basics, but I learned and grew. I formed friendships with kids who had similar experiences to mine—they also came from different schools and were made to feel like they weren’t smart enough. That wasn’t the case at all; we just needed different tools to learn. We bonded over that and got to watch each other excel.
How do you feel Lawrence prepared you for the academic and social environment of college?
They did a good job, especially in the math and science departments. I was always challenged to think harder and deeper. The tools and coping mechanisms they teach you in the classroom were incredibly beneficial. For the most part, I felt prepared academically.
Socially, Ohio State’s student body is huge and diverse, which I love. It was hard at first to find my community because the school is so big, and I felt overwhelmed during my first semester. But as time went on, I learned the ropes and was able to find a great, close-knit group of friends. They make Ohio State feel smaller, just like Lawrence taught me about the importance of community and finding people who truly understand you.
What skills did you learn at Lawrence that you find yourself using at Ohio State?
In addition to self-advocacy and time management, I learned resilience at Lawrence. You have to have a lot of resilience, especially when you’re going through tough classes or social situations. A lot of things in life will try to knock you down or shake you off your center, but you have to bounce back and do better than before.
I remember at Lawrence there were times when I was just down in the dumps, or I didn’t do as well on a test as I wanted. You have those days, but you have to bounce back. You have to say, “Okay, I let myself have that day, but now I have to push through. What am I going to do differently on this test to get better?” I learned that at Lawrence, and I definitely brought that with me to Ohio State. I’ve learned a lot of life lessons here and have definitely been knocked down, but I got right back up because Lawrence taught me to keep pushing through.
What is the biggest adjustment you had to make when transitioning from Lawrence to Ohio State?
Besides the sheer size, I had to adjust to being on my own. Your parents move you in, drop you off, and then you say your tearful goodbyes. Then you’re just standing there, thinking, “Oh, I have to figure all this out myself.” You have to take care of yourself, do your laundry, and make sure your dorm is clean. These are things you don’t really think about when you’re living at home. So you have to balance school with making sure you’re healthy, eating well, and getting some exercise. You’re basically learning how to be an adult.
What advice would you give to current Lawrence students who are preparing for their college journey?
I would tell them that no matter what is happening right now—if something didn’t go your way, you didn’t get accepted to a school, or your ACT scores weren’t what you expected—everything will work out in the end. You are supposed to be exactly where you are. That was a huge lesson I learned in college. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel, and you just have to keep pushing.
What advice would you offer a student who is currently struggling with a learning difference?
When you’re struggling with a learning difference, you feel so alone, like no one understands or gets you. I remember feeling that way when I was in the midst of it. It’s hard, but you just have to know that you’re not alone. It may feel like the end of the world right now, but it’s not.
Learning differences are nothing to be ashamed of; you should be proud of them because you are unique. There’s nothing wrong with being who you are. You will grow and learn and become an amazing person. I remember feeling that way, and now I’m so happy at Ohio State. It’s nothing to be ashamed of; you have to embrace it. It’s nice to have that community and support behind you at a place like Lawrence.