A 14-year-old genius (Corey Haim) and the 42 year old ex Marine (Burt Young) become college roommates and deal with a kind of Odd Couple relationship in their dorm room, eventually finding something to learn from each other.
Matthew asks his dad to come and watch him wrestle, then is dismayed that he has to wrestle a girl.
Matthew's concern for the survival of a rare fish prompts the boys to form a rescue party.
Nick tries some self-analysis after he follows a date with his psychology professor with a visit to another woman.
During the yearly 'Stupid Documentary Festival' the college has for the students, an old military training film is shown which triggers Nick who has memories of all of the young people lost in war during his time in the Marines.
Matthew becomes a campus sensation as the newest radio station DJ "Bobby Midnight."
Matthew hooks up with a girl who's as obsessed with plants as he is with fish, but a mishap causes suspicion, threatening their romance.
Mid-terms approach, and the guys pull an all-nighter for their first one, but Nick's subsequent low grade sends him reeling for home (with Matthew in tow).