General Education (2012) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Levi discovered the night before graduation that his Science grade had dropped significantly, making him ineligible to graduate. He had kept this information hidden from his father, who expected him to complete high school and pursue tennis at Forest Wood University.

Foreshadowing: Levi's academic neglect was hinted at earlier when he was more focused on tennis than his schoolwork.

• levi collins
• science grade
• graduation
• high school

Desperate to keep his failing Science grade hidden from his father Rich, Levi attempted to bribe Ms. Bradford with tickets to his sister's mime performance. This was his first panicked attempt to resolve the graduation issue before his father could find out.

Foreshadowing: Levi's desperation to hide his academic struggles sets up the comedy of his repeated attempts to fix the situation.

• levi collins
• ms bradford
• bribe
• science teacher

During Levi's sister's mime performance, a shocking twist reveals that Ms. Bradford is actually Katie's mother. This discovery adds complexity to Levi's situation, as he's now dealing with both his teacher and his girlfriend's parent in summer school.

Foreshadowing: The film hints at Katie's family pressure when she explains her mother insisted she complete the summer course.

• ms bradford
• katie
• mother
• daughter
• mime show

Levi's father Rich insisted he continue intense tennis practice despite Levi's academic situation. This commitment caused Levi to miss several days of summer school, leading Ms. Bradford to expel him from her class for excessive absences.

Foreshadowing: Tension between Levi's tennis obligations and his schoolwork was established early when his father demanded practice even during summer school.

• levi
• expelled
• summer school
• tennis
• absences

Levi believed Samuel Goldstein, his rival on the tennis court, was responsible for stealing his beloved Mercedes. In a fit of anger, Levi attacked what he thought was Samuel's car, only to discover it belonged to Officer Bob, landing him in serious legal trouble.

Foreshadowing: Samuel had been established as an antagonist and rival throughout the film, making Levi quick to suspect him.

• levi
• officer bob
• car
• stolen
• samuel goldstein

Encouraged by his friend Shady Nick, who was passionate about alternative energy, Levi decided to modify his Mercedes to run on vegetable oil as an eco-friendly project. With help from Nick's mechanic friend Sampson, the project became his academic topic that he desperately needed to pass the class.

Foreshadowing: Nick's passion for alternative energy was introduced earlier as a character trait that would influence Levi's direction.

• levi
• vegetable oil
• mercedes
• project
• alternative energy

After Levi presented his vegetable oil car project to Ms. Bradford and had a heartfelt discussion with his father about his feelings, Rich's perspective shifted. Levi's mother also shared family stories about breaking from tradition, encouraging Levi to follow his own dreams rather than his father's expectations.

Foreshadowing: The tension between Levi's desires and his father's expectations had been building throughout the film.

• levi
• father
• support
• decision
• rich collins

Levi ultimately decided to attend Arizona State University instead of accepting the Forest Wood tennis scholarship to pursue his own path. After passing his summer school class and gaining his father's support, he chose to follow his personal aspirations rather than continue on the predetermined route his family had planned.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Levi was already tempted by the Arizona State offer, showing his internal conflict about tradition versus personal choice.

• levi
• arizona state
• forest wood
• scholarship
• tennis

Samuel Goldstein became a nuisance to Levi during summer school, leading to a confrontation on the school playground. During a tetherball match, Levi asserted himself and defeated Samuel, gaining confidence that helped him later ask Katie out on a date.

Foreshadowing: Samuel was established as an academic rival who also competed against Levi in tennis.

• levi
• samuel goldstein
• tetherball
• confrontation

To maintain a sense of normalcy with his parents while dealing with his academic struggles, Levi invented a humorous story about working at a local rice cake factory. His father Rich remained unaware of the truth and continued insisting on tennis practice despite Levi's complicated summer schedule.

Foreshadowing: This lie setup reflects Levi's pattern of hiding his academic issues from his father throughout the film.

• levi
• rice cake
• factory
• lie
• parents