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

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

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 and current careers 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.

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. He will also receive a major-specific object which helps him to study and boost his academic score without going for lectures. During the stay, time will move slower in the main neighborhood.

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.

They can create a group study. It can be formed up to 4 Sims.

The lecture halls are open, thus lectures are interactive. This feature is similar from The Sims 2: University. What lectures the Sims had been will affect their lives down the road.

Graduation happens university-wide. If Sims graduate in university, they can be promoted to the top of their future careers easily.

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

Communications majors can broadcast their own radio show.


 * 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. Sims may get an extra trait when interacting with these social groups. 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.

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


 * Candy bar
 * Tea (of some kinds)
 * Coffee
 * Soda
 * Energy drinks