I can definitely relate to your situation except mine was even worse.
When I was applying for college, my GPA was only 3.15, which was about the same as your grades of 80/100 in the first year. However, I did not let that stop me from applying for top schools because I knew that GPA was only one of the aspects American Universities valued applicants. I focused more on my non academic background and experience in my application through essays and interviews, and eventually was admitted to University of Chicago.
Yes, my dream came true, but more was coming.
You may say that universities in the U.S. have lower standards for domestic applicants, and that's why I was accepted with such low grades. We all know it's not case because if it were, anyone with GPA higher than 3.15 would get an offer from UChicago, which would probably be everyone!
I had a taste of triumph, and it was absolutely amazing. So, I wanted more.
Cambridge University was my next big goal.
Fortunately, I was able to get higher grades in UChicago compared to my high school years. But, 3.65 was not enough for the unspoken required minimum GPA to apply for a master degree at Cambridge.
You probably have already guessed it. Yes, I got in again, not with my GPA but because how I strategized my application's focus, which minimized my imperfection for academic requirement.
Up till this day, I have been grateful for my mentors who gave me the right guidance and advice during my university preparation. I would not have made it without them.
That said, I would not be too worried about you current GPA as there's really not much you can do about what's already happened. Fortunately, you still have some time to make up for it. An uprising trend of GPA during your college years is what western university admission officers want to see. Meanwhile, fully explore and use your time in college. Learn, fail, and have a good time. Record every meaningful moment on a regular basis. They can be great inspirations for the personal statement that you will have to prepare later on.
Godspeed.
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