 Sam is being very secretive. Diane finds out that his secret is that he s gone back to school. But later, initially to her horror, she finds out that he is not getting his college degree, but rather his high school diploma - she dated, in her words, "Dobie Gillis". But he is doing this as a promise to his parents, and because he really wants to finish this uncompleted part of his life. The Coach shows some interest in going back to school as well, and although Coach needs a few more credits than Sam to graduate - actually a few more years - he decides to take the same Geography course as Sam. Nearing the end of the course, The Coach and Sam are getting the highest marks in the class and are enjoying their experience. The Coach is doing it through hard work and studying. Sam on the other hand, as Diane deduces, is getting his high marks because he and Miss Purdy, the teacher, have a special relationship, not quite typical of a teacher/student. In other words, they re sleeping together. Diane chastises him, although she doesn t need to. Sam knows what s happening is wrong. He never dreamt that dating the teacher would result in her letting him slide with the class. Despite being at a point just before the final exam (worth 80% of the final grade) with Sam knowing nothing about the course, Diane talks him into setting things straight with Miss Purdy and the class, and having his final grade being a true reflection of his knowledge of the course material. After doing so, Sam s in a panic. How is he going to pass? He knows he can t do it alone. The Coach won t help him since he basically "cheated" in The Coach s eyes. Everyone else in the bar can t help either for various reasons. Finally The Coach relents and does help Sam out. The Coach s studying method, which he imparts on Sam, is to memorize the information by putting it all into song format. Sam thinks the idea s stupid. But The Coach won t help him unless Sam does it his way. So Sam and The Coach start singing, "Albania, Albania, you border on the Adriatic. Your land is mostly mountainous. And your chief export is grown..." After all is said and done and the marks are announced, The Coach gets an A, the best mark in the class. Sam ends up with a D, but passes and gets his high school diploma. But Sam feels dumber than ever. But at Diane s expense, he comes to the realization that some of the information from the class really did sink into his brain. Another in the bar is also on a quest for self-improvement: Cliff, with a little from his medical insurance, is thinking about getting his ears tucked, a physical feature of which he has always been self-conscious.