"I might just be the most awesome thing in the universe. Actually, scratch that, I AM."
According to Gilbert, there is nothing, and I repeat nothing more awesome than himself. Egotistical much? Due to this, he tends to get in trouble in school more than a bit; mostly, this is getting in fights, skipping class, getting in fights, or skipping class. What doesn't help at all is that Alaric Beilschmidt - the assistant director of the school - is his uncle, and his younger brother is a top student and athlete. Not that Gilbert can't be athletic. If he wants to do something, he'll push himself until he is able to do it. This has, more than once, resulted in injury or humiliation.