<p>In my freshmen year, I suffered profusely from a mental illness that required large (and expensive!) amounts of psychological help and counseling. As a result, I got through with a 3.3. In my first trimester as a Sophomore, I got a lung infection that required a hospital visit and two weeks out of school at the very end of the trimester, which resulted in me having problems with finals and homework, as there was very little time to make up anything, which continued with my GPA now at something like 3.345.
Now in my second tri of school, my 6 weeks GPA is 3.8 and things seem to be doing well, and my schedule is growing more and more difficult but I seem to be adjusting well.
If I keep doing as well as I am, can I explain my bad freshman and first tri GPA to colleges and not have them assume I'm a lazy scoundrel? </p>
<p>That isn’t the worst gpa, quite amazing that you were able to do that well really, but if your gpa is great the rest of this year and junior year you can make a statement that illness occurred in those periods. Many like to have the GC put it in. It is probably best to avoid talking about mental illness. When the time comes, talk to your parents and GC if you feel you want to go that way. It’s great you are doing so well now and upward trends are always positive, so you can spin it that you feel your later work is the best representation of you as a student.</p>