Feeling a bit down about school...

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>Okay, I'm entering my Junior year in high school, but I'll start at the beginning. I've always been very good at school, I may not always be the smartest, but I consistently did my work and would always study for test, etc. In October of my Freshmen year (2010), my friend and his girlfriend committed suicide. Everyone at my school was shocked and deeply hurt. My friends and I didn't know how to deal with this tragedy. I became disinterested in many things I loved before (school and sports mainly). I put school on the back burner, trying to gather myself. I finished Freshmen year with a 2.7 GPA, a shock to someone who had never gotten anything below a B in a class before. </p>

<p>At the beginning of sophomore year very little had changed. I was still grieving the death of my friend, and still didn't know what to do with myself. I did a little better, finishing first semester with a 2.9. But at the beginning of second semester Sophomore year, something changed. I realized I needed to move on with my life, and started focusing on school again. I finished second semester with a 3.3, and I am incredibly proud of that, I worked hard for it. I earned it. </p>

<p>Now going into Junior year, my GPA is around a 2.8/2.9. But now it seems like my dream colleges (University of Wisconsin-Madison, and University of Minnesota-Twin Cities) are almost unattainable. It feels like I can do nothing to outweigh those crappy first three semesters of high school. Can anyone cheer me up? Is there anyway I can get into my dream schools? A 4.0 is out of the question. My guess is I can stay around a 3.3-3.5 GPA the rest of the way through high school. I am taking some harder classes (took AP Geography, Honors English 10, and now I'm taking AP Language/Composition). My extracurriculars are nothing special (football in 9th and 10th grade, intramural basketball in 10th grade, physics club).</p>

<p>And I'm sorry if this is really whiny, I don't mean it to be so. I just needed somewhere to vent a little bit. Thank you for reading</p>

2

<p>Hi, I am so, so sorry to hear about the circumstances surrounding your college experience. That being said, I think you should include that information somewhere in your college app - Not sure exactly where, I probably would have put that in the “other information session.” That section is really there to explain anything that may not be reflected on paper. </p>

<p>If you can get interviews with your dream schools, do.</p>

<p>Also, this kind of goes without saying, but just keep working as hard as you can to keep up your academic upswing. </p>

<p>Otherwise, I’m really not sure what you can do? Other users are better at that sort of advice. And I’m sure they’ll be responding shortly. </p>

<p>Best of luck and I hope everything works out for you and that you finish out high school beautifully</p>

3

<p>Thanks for your suggestions, they sound like good ideas. I’m going to continue to do the best I can do. Thank you for the well wishes! Best wishes to you too!</p>

4

<p>you can do all things. it’s VERY possible to go from a 2.8/9 to a 3.3+ If you work hard. Wow, it would be really amazing. And considering all that you’ve been through, you would be a great inspiration to people who got off to a rough start!</p>

5

<p>Thanks guys, you’ve made me feel better. I really appreciate all of the kind words!
And to anyone who may be reading this thread and is depressed and/or considering suicide (hopefully no one but just in case): GET HELP! Tell a friend, a teacher, a parent, a counselor, anyone! People will listen and get you help, but you need to talk and let people know whats up!</p>