The premiere of "Overcompensating" opens with a lively sleepover scene, where a group of kids are gathered, their laughter echoing through the room. One of them, engrossed in a DVD of "George of the Jungle," keeps rewinding a scene featuring the shirtless hero. His friends, puzzled by his repetitive behavior, exchange curious glances. Panicked by their reactions, he hastily switches to a Britney Spears music video, hoping to divert their attention.
Fast forward a decade. The same young boy, now Benny, awakens on the pivotal day of his move into the dorms at Yates University. With his parents by his side, they navigate the bustling campus, eventually meeting his sister Grace and her boyfriend Peter. Grace, less than thrilled about sharing her academic space with Benny, shoots him daggers, while Benny, adhering to his father's wishes, is set on studying economics.
Elsewhere on campus, Carmen is also being dropped off by her doting parents, who bid her farewell and depart shortly after. Her high school beau sends her a text, apologizing for his unintended slumber and wishing her well in her new academic endeavors. As Carmen meets her vivacious roommate Hailee, the pair heads up to their shared space. Hailee, a pink enthusiast, brings along a flat-packed Ikea vanity, adding a touch of whimsy to their dorm.
With Benny's parents also bidding him adieu, he dashes to join his orientation group, his excitement palpable. Along the way, he catches the eye of a vibrant LGBTQ+ student activist group, capturing his interest. He strikes up a conversation with some football players, inquiring about the direction to Conrad Quad, only to receive blank stares in return. Suddenly, a girl approaches him, prompting the football players to jest about her crush on Benny.
The LGBTQ+ activists come to Benny's rescue, guiding him to Conrad Quad, where he crosses paths with Carmen.
During orientation, a campus stroller momentarily catches Benny's fancy. Soon after, he and Carmen strike up a conversation, forging a quick bond. Benny, hailing from Idaho, contrasts sharply with Carmen, a native of New Jersey. Carmen warmly invites Benny to a pre-game party thrown by her roommate.
Prior to the bash, Benny reconnects with his sister Grace and Peter, who procure him alcohol for the party. Peter, in a moment of camaraderie, nudges Benny to make a move on Carmen and score on his college debut night. In return, Benny invites Peter to a party at his frat house, setting the stage for an eventful start to their college lives.
Benny and Carmen exit the pre-game gathering, eager to immerse themselves in the lively frat party atmosphere. Carmen finds herself under the scrutiny of her friends, who urge her to engage in intimate relations that very night. Meanwhile, her phone buzzes incessantly with notifications of her boyfriend being tagged in various social media snapshots. As they journey towards the party, Carmen playfully asks Benny to snap a selfie, which she promptly shares online, adding to the night's buzz.
Hailee and her entourage trail behind Carmen and Benny, hot on their heels. Grace, not pleased to see Benny, challenges him to a beer pong showdown with Peter and his cronies. Though Carmen proves to be a seasoned player, having honed her skills with her brother and his friends, Benny struggles to keep up.
The night takes a romantic turn as Carmen and Benny share a passionate kiss, deciding to escalate their evening at Benny's place. Missing the shuttle bus back, Carmen, driven by daring, convinces Benny to pilfer a university go-kart. Once in Benny's room, their attempts at intimacy are marred by clumsiness. Benny, growing aroused, excuses himself to the bathroom for a moment of solitary pleasure. Despite trying to envision Carmen, his thoughts wander to a handsome fellow student he's been noticing around campus.
Returning to the room, semi-aroused, Benny attempts to resume their tender moments, only to be interrupted by his roommate's unexpected arrival. They spend the remainder of the night engaged in deep conversations and movie marathons. Carmen opens her heart, sharing the loss of her brother, Michael, and her strained relationship with her parents. Conversely, Benny confides in the pressure he felt from overprotective parents to be flawless, yet admits to enjoying the perks of being both valedictorian and a football player.
The following morning, Carmen and Benny stroll hand-in-hand to the dining hall for breakfast, Carmen clad in Benny's attire. Their campus peers assume they've shared an intimate encounter, showering them with admiring glances. They revel in the admiration, basking in the assumption of their sexual conquest.
Later, Carmen heads to her creative writing class, while Benny ventures into his economics lecture. They arrange to meet later, their plans set. In an unexpected twist, the handsome campus fixture Benny has been eyeing enters Benny's class, mistakenly believing it to be an introduction to film studies. The professor redirects him but then launches into a personal anecdote, urging Benny to make his own decisions for once. Seized by inspiration, Benny abruptly rises and decides to follow the handsome stranger to his intended class. Meanwhile, Carmen decides to sever ties with Tim by unfollowing him on social media.
