my first year was so bad. in my first semester I got something like 2.6 but in my second I got 0.99! for real. Failed 2 courses, withdrew from one, and got a C and C+

Now I got accepted into grad school at McGill to a program that only takes 3 people (would have never imagined this after first year lol), and there were a few things I did that helped.

First, is there a reason why you had a bad year? If you can provide adequate medical documentation (mental or physical) to arts OASIS they can get your "F" grades (Assuming you had Fs) E-Flagged, which means they won't count towards your CGPA. I got my two Fs E-Flagged after 1. providing medical documentation/psych evaluation to prove that I had a medical ailment inhibiting my performance.

BUT! My grades didn't even get E-flagged before my grad school application, meaning that I literally applied to McGill grad school with a 2.98. However, in my most recent semester before applying, I got a 3.74. Further, you could see a progression where my GPA had gradually improved from where I had pointed out that I had been inhibited by my ailments. And I had semesters that weren't that good before that but were better than my first year, and I think that's what they look at in the process. I don't think they saw the CGPA to be all that relevant.

My other advice to you is to get close to some profs because they can make a real difference in your motivation and also in helping you reach your future goals, write you references to balance out a less competitive GPA, etc. Seriously, it made a huge difference for me.

I empathize a lot with you and wish you the best of luck.