Hi! My name is Renee Bilodeau and I’m a Biomedical Sciences major with a minor in Psychology. I am going into my second year at UCF, and I am very excited! I graduated in 2024 at St. Thomas Aquinas Highschool in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. One of my favorite classes so far was my Introduction to Philosophy class. I thought it was interesting to share my perspective and to have a deeper understanding of different readings. One of my favorite professors is definitely Professor Yeargain! I love her class for Biology I, and I plan on taking her for Biology II. Her lessons are so informative, and she makes it easy to understand the material, even my least favorite topics such as Cellular Respiration. I find this program so useful because mentors are able to help and provide advice for the mentees. STEM majors are already challenging, but with the help of other people who have gone through the same classes or semesters, it makes it easier to know how to adjust to college life. It also creates a support system that allows people, especially those like me who get overwhelmed, to have their minds put at ease. I love to write, listen to music, bake, and go out with my friends!

Words of advice for the GEMS freshman students: This is from one of my favorite singers, AURORA, in which she states, “It is important to do things that remind you of yourself, so you don’t disappear and become invisible.”