The Sims 3: University Life/Detailed features

Detailed (Edit)

Sims University is a new sub-neighborhood (similar to the sub-neighborhoods in World Adventures) and its university buildings are New England-inspired with some European influences. Its animal mascot is a llama.
 * University - Sims University

Pets do not show up in university, but paparazzi and aliens may.

In order to attend university, Sims must be aged from Young Adult to Elder.

When a NPC mascot is around the Sims' lots, they can take aptitude test. The results will depend on their skills, traits, work experience and school grades which can provide how much financial assistance they can get. The results also show the total aptitude score, along with the sub-scores for the majors and credit award.

Enrolling in university can be done at any time via the phone or the computer. Players will be able to choose their Sims' major and how many credits they can apply to, which affects the length of time the Sims will spend at university. The Sims are not restricted to one major, so they can be enrolled for many majors. They can also customize the duration of the Sims' term in university from one to two weeks. One week is equal to one university term.

When a Sim gets in the university, the Work tab on the UI is replaced as the Graduation tab. It keeps records of his schedule and responsibilities. The schedule will depend on his major and class load selected during enrollment.

On the first day in Sims University at noon, there will be a "meet-and-greet" orientation at the student union, where Sims can "get to know" one another and get free items at stands.

Classes start on the first Monday morning. During the university stay, time will move slower in the main neighborhood, and Sims cannot marry one another and females Sims cannot be pregnant. Married Sims whom one of them goes for university cannot visit each other, either in university or at home world, but they can still call via their smartphone.

On Mondays and Wednesdays, classes are held on one of the university rabbit-hole buildings. They are seminar-styled, which varies from Introduction to "Dodging Questions" to "Methods and Practices of Tragic Clowns". Players are able to choose a variety of tones in these classes, which affects the Sims' academic performances. Some of the tones are: "Chatting with Friends" and "Suck Up to the Professor". The Sims can ask a Sim to attend their classes, but by doing so, the professor may notice.

The lecture halls are open, thus lectures are interactive. This feature is different from The Sims 2: University, where Sims would attend classes off-lot and could not be interacted with.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, classes are held in lecture halls, and Sims can interact with the professors. They can ask questions and take notes. There are also a few interactions which can affect their academic performances. Sims can also do class activities, which give Sims a chance to use academic objects to gain knowledge relating to their major.

Sims can skip classes for two days maximum. Skipping more than two days may result in punishment.

Spring breaks may occur if the player has Seasons installed, and it will depend on when will the Sims' term end.

They can create a group study, for up to 4 Sims.

Examinations happen during their stay. They are held on Fridays. Sims can study from textbooks, computers and smartphones. They can also cheat in the examinations, but they may get caught. There is also a final examination, which the Sims need to be in a good mood and well prepared by studying. Failing it will make a major impact on their final grade.

Sims can drop out university, but this may affect their life in some way. They can be kicked out of a class by cheating.

Graduation happens university-wide. If Sims graduate in university, they will get an extra trait slot and career benefits, depending on the majors. The grades will affect the advantages, so Sims with higher grades will get more bonuses.

Graduated Sims who wants to meet the Sims from university can call them to have them visit their home town and meet. These Sims from university are called "university friends", which functions similarly to "foreign friends" in World Adventures.

Some of the university buildings are similar to Late Night 's apartment buildings, where the interior can be customized while the exterior cannot.
 * University buildings

The buildings can be added on any home worlds, but they function as rabbit holes with new interactions, thus this will not serve as a real university.

Sims can study for majors in Business, Science and Medicine, Technology, Physical Education, Fine Arts and Communications.
 * Majors

They will receive a major-specific object which helps them to improve their academic performances.

Communications majors can broadcast their own radio show using their "Frequency Fun Mobile Radio Station", which is their academic object. They can conduct interviews with Sims and report on the events about the university.


 * New lot types


 * Student union
 * Make-out point


 * Bowlarama (Jocks)
 * Hobby shop (Nerds)
 * Coffee Shop (Rebels)

At the student union, there will be an option for Sims to sign up for group projects and clubs.

The coffee shop assignment in University Life is different from the Coffeehouse assignment from Showtime. The difference is that the coffee shop has an interior with a barista bar which is interactive. The shop will open from 9am to 1am.

Hobby shops open from 8am to 2am.

A few lots were made for University Life which may be found in the Community lots tab at Edit Town menu. They are:
 * New lots
 * Roasted Toasted Beans - Coffeehouse
 * Keith's Komics - Hobby shop
 * B’s Bowlarama - Bowlarama


 * New rabbithole
 * SimBurger - Diner


 * New living quarters
 * Dormitories (Dorms)
 * Sororities and fraternities
 * Individual houses

Sims can rent a dorm room or pay and rent an individual house in Sims University. Unlike The Sims 2: University, dorms are completely customizable. Players can "set bed ownership" for the Sims by clicking a bed.

If there is an unused room in a rented house, a Sim can advertise for a new housemate or two, so that he/she pays less for the rent.

Sorority houses are for female Sims while fraternity houses are for male Sims.

Social groups are groups that Sims usually socialize one another. They can gain influence with as many of these groups they desire. These groups still exist outside university.
 * Social groups

To know what social group a Sim is in, hover the Sim using the mouse.

Sims can choose to join one of the three social groups: the nerds, the jocks, and the rebels.

The Jocks like to win anything. They usually hang out at B's Bowlarama in Sims University where they practice bowling. They can also throw parties which are considered the best around the university.

The Rebels love to work further beyond their expectations. They usually hang out at The Grotto, a hangout with a new pool table. They work on their Painting skill, as they usually tag a wall on the university and drink organic brew from barista bars. They add herbs to the bonfire at the bonfire party.

The Nerds like to be smart. They usually hang out at Keith's Komics in Sims University which is a ideal hangout for the nerds as it has hobbies which they can enjoy such as computers, arcade machines and comics. They love to play video games, perform research from their majors, and win trivia challenges.

If Sims gain enough influence with the Nerds, he can work as a "video game developer", a new career in University Life.

Sims can hang out with these groups and gain credibility, which can offer advantages to them, such as lifetime rewards. To check their current status to the groups, there is the "Check Social Groups" interaction on the Sims' smartphones.

If the Sims become a legend with their social group, they may land a career like:
 * New careers
 * Video game developer
 * Art appraiser
 * Sports Agent


 * New NPCs
 * Llama Mascot The Llama Mascot will drop off a package with freebies in your Sims' residential lot. It will also provide an aptitude test for them.
 * Barista A barista works in a coffee venue. He usually serves food and coffee at the coffee bar.


 * New interactions
 * Sims will be able to streak, a feature returned from The Sims 2: University.
 * Sims can chant the college song and "perform school cheer".
 * Sims can protest.

There are new romantic options in University Life. One of those are kiss interactions. These kiss interactions are "Heat of the Moment Kiss", "Juiced Kiss" and "Cinnamon Kiss", which can spice the relationship a bit higher than a normal kiss.

Sims can convince roommate Sims to do things for them. They must be in good relationship in order to do so successfully.

They can tag a wall or draw murals using a paint spray. They can choose different sizes for it. Sometimes, it can trigger the police's attention.

Sims get an extra trait slot.

The standard phone for the Sims is replaced with a smartphone. It functions the same as the standard phone, but with new features such as: By taking these photos, the player has the option to either print them out and hang them on a wall, or keep them stored in the smartphone.
 * Smart Phone
 * Social networking
 * Take photos
 * Self-portrait photos with other Sims
 * Romantic photo with a kiss
 * Sending a text
 * Sending an admirer text when they are flirty to their admirers.
 * Sending an insulting text when they were treated poorly.
 * Sending a break-up text when they decide to go single.


 * New traits
 * Avant Garde
 * Irresistible
 * Socially Awkward


 * New skills
 * Street art
 * Science
 * Social networking

Social networking skill can be increased by taking pictures and videos, and blogging.


 * New woohoo spot
 * Murphy bed


 * New lifetime reward
 * One enables a Sim to have 6 traits instead of 5.


 * New Create-A-Sim items

Hair There are 4 hairstyle for female Sims and 4 hairstyles for male Sims.
 * Dreadlocks
 * Side ponytail with headband

Clothes There are 7 clothes for female Sims and 6 clothes for male Sims.
 * Casual college inspired clothing
 * Nerd and Jock clothing
 * Mascot (2 styles)


 * New Tattoos


 * New party types
 * Bonfire Party
 * Juice Kegger


 * New objects


 * Bonfire
 * Plink Plonk Tennis Table (Ping pong table)
 * Barista bar


 * Interactive skeleton model
 * Radio soundboard


 * Backpack
 * Sketchbook

The bonfire lets Sims to build more food or to throw something. Throwing something to the bonfire will give positive or negative results, such as a test tube will cause a Sim to be smelly.

Backpacks can be worn onto Sims by clicking them and selecting the specific options.

A Sim can ask another Sim to pose (either naked or not) before sketching in his sketchbook.

There are freebies such as:


 * University poster
 * Candy bar
 * Soda


 * Flying disc (Frisbee)
 * Kicky bag


 * Returning objects


 * Juice keg stand
 * Vending machine


 * Bowling alley
 * Murphy bed
 * Photo booth
 * Pool table

Two Sims can do a keg stand at the juice keg stand.

Sims can do bowling moves at the bowling alley.


 * New games
 * Bowling
 * Ping Pong
 * "Juice Pong" - an equivalent to beer pong
 * Frisbee

From a barista bar:
 * New food and drinks


 * Organic Brew


 * Herbal Teas

There are 11 drinks.
 * Energy Drinks
 * Greenleafapaloosa
 * Peppermint Party
 * In Your Face Lime
 * Spud Suck Shock
 * Licorice Energsplosion
 * Ridiculous Red Apple


 * Hot Beverage
 * Coffee


 * Candy bar
 * Soda