Grandpa's sister in law is being forced out of their home by a government project. The Waltons go to their land to help defend the homestead. John-Boy is torn between his ideals and the family loyalty.

Everything seems to go wrong on John-Boy's first day at Boatwright University -- though he makes some new friends, he also leaves an important document at home, and becomes the butt of a cruel practical joke. He also learns about the difficulties of fitting into college life as a freshman beset by upperclassmen determined to make his life miserable. In the meantime, back at the Waltons' Mountain School, Jason hesitantly tries to fill John-Boy's shoes as the eldest of the remaining six Walton children.

John Boy and his mule aim to get the Walton family name on a local race's trophy for the first time since Grandpa won the race years ago. It seems to be a sure victory until a well-to-do college mate and his thoroughbred racehorse enter.

Everyone in the Walton house is too busy to pay attention Jim Bob so he takes matters into his own hands.

In this episode, John Boy encourages his mother, Olivia's, talent in painting. He tells her that there are free Art classes available at the high school in Charlottesville. After hilarity ensues during her driving lesson, Olivia starts classes where the dashing painting teacher, Joshua Williams (David Selby) falls for her. He tries to woo her away to France so he can live in a garret with her as his inspiration. After a class trip to a Richmond art gallery where his affections for her are growing, he escorts her to the car and kisses her. Oliva, a strict Baptist, is horrified and stops attending classes, distressing her. John notices the difference in his wife and wants answers. He seems bothered that Joshua made advances but proud that Olivia did not respond. He encourages her to make up her mind either way (to return to class or to fore-go the classes entirely). Meanwhile Joshua keeps her painting of the mountain on her easel at the class. He goes to the Mountain to beg Olivia to return and she makes him realize that she is tied to that mountain and her family but that she'll return to class. On the "B" story line, Mary Ellen's romance with a boy in her class intensifies and quickly sours when both fall in love then argue about each's interest in medicine.

Mary Ellen discovers a beautiful ring in a secondhand purse she bought for a date with John Boy's best friend.

John Boy tutors another person on a scholarship. He cheats during test and has to be turned in. John Boy acts as his lawyer to keep him in college rather than be expelled.

A mountain man moves his family back to Walton's Mountain. The family members (except the father) are city folks and do not enjoy the mountains. Spoiled brats, they try to show the Waltons they are country hicks.

John Boy participates in a dance marathon with Daisy. Daisy turns up later in the series as a visiting friend and love interest for John Boy.

The publication of John Boy's book of short stories gives John-Boy a swelled-head and overshadows Jason's debut as a musician. Complications arise because of that.

John Boy gets a job reading to a blind woman. He encourages her to live instead of sulk because of her blindness.

Feeling "put out to pasture," John Walton seeks adventure by taking a job at a shipyard in Norfolk.

An elderly former neighbor comes back to Walton's Mountain to live. Everyone helps get the house ready for his wife's return, but strange circumstances surround the visit.

Grandpa loses his will to live after a near fatal heart attack; the family takes desperate measures.

John Boy tries to unravel the circumstances of a hit and run charge brought against Ben in a nearby town.

John's unmarried cousin Corabeth Walton (Ronnie Claire Edwards) comes for a visit after the death of her mother. Ike Godsey takes a liking to her and decides he is tired of the bachelor life.

John-Boy encounters a sassy, spoiled, selfish gal whose selfish ways cause problems for John Boy and even for Jim Bob's friend.

Grandpa and Grandma feel left out and move to house-sit for for a neighbor. John has to hire someone to help at the mill who turns out to be no good.

Olivia plans a wedding for a friend's daughter, but the city-bred fiance (Bruce Davison) objects to the proceedings.

John wants to expand the mill and call it Walton and Sons, but Jason wants to study music. He tries to get a scholarship. John-Boy is told he should write a novel.

John Boy's story, if published, may devastate Emily Baldwin. Grandpa wins a statue at a raffle. The statue resembles his old girlfriend, and Grandma does not like having it around.

Ben and Jason's relationship is strained when Ben suggests Jason hire a girl who Ben likes, Sally Ann (Erin Moran), to sing his new song with him in Bobby Bigelow's band. The plan backfires on Ben when Sally falls for Jason instead.

John-Boy falls for a poet who is visiting his college. Meanwhile, John and Olivia celebrate their anniversary by renewing their vows.

The family may lose its considerable investment in a new business when John gets hospitalized with pneumonia.