The Sims 3: University Life/Detailed features

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;University - Sims University
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. 
Pets do not show up in university, however, paparazzi and aliens do.
An NPC mascot will arrive at your Sims' lot with a University kit that includes a banner, a T-shirt, and an aptitude test. Your Sim can keep this kit in the personal inventory or put it anywhere in the house. The results of the aptitude test (which can be taken as many times as desired) will depend on their skills, traits, work experience and school grades,Academics: A Guide to Making the Grade (TS3 Blog) influencing 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 to take, which affects the length of time the Sims will spend at university before completing a degree. The Sims may only study one major at a time, but they can enroll in university after completing one major in order to study another. They can also customize the duration of the Sims' term in university, 1 week being the minimum and 2 weeks the maximum.
When a Sim gets in the university, the Work tab on the UI is replaced with the Academics tab. It keeps records of his/her schedule and responsibilities. The schedule will depend on the Sim's degree and how many credits the Sim has.
During your Sim's university stay, aging will stop in all worlds, though time only stops in the main neighbourhood. Sims cannot marry one another and female Sims cannot get or be pregnant while at University.More of your University Life Questions answered! (TS3 Blog) Married Sims cannot visit each other while one is away at University, but they may talk on the phone. If a parent goes to University, a babysitter will come to their lot and take care of the children. Sims use their family funds to pay for tuition and rent. Sims can also get additional funds at the administration center depending on their academic performance. Sims need to have at minimum 35% of their academic performance in order to apply for aid. They can get from §1,750 up to §5,000 each time they apply for aid. Sims need to wait for another 24 hours to apply for another aid.
On the first day in Sims University at noon, a "meet-and-greet" orientation is held 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. 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", which are chosen randomly when enrolled. Players are able to choose a variety of tones in these classes, which affects the Sims' academic performances. Some of the tones are: "Socialize" and "Suck Up to the Professor". The Sims can ask a Sim to attend their classes, but by doing so, the professor may notice.
As lecture halls are open, and therefore interactive. This feature differs from The Sims 2: University, where Sims would attend classes off-lot and could not be interacted with while at class.
On Tuesdays/Thursdays, lectures are held in the student union building, and Sims can interact with the professors. They can ask questions, take notes, and sleep through the lecture, and these actions affect their academic performances. Sims can also do class activities, also held on Tuesdays/Thursdays, which give Sims a chance to use academic objects to gain knowledge relating to their major. Sims can schmooze with their professors to ask for extra credit.
Although Sims are allowed to skip classes for at maximum two days, more frequent occurrences result in punishment.
Spring breaks may occur if the player has Seasons installed, and it will depend on when the Sims' term ends. However, there are no holidays in the university.
Sims can apply for Day Jobs, Social Group Jobs, and Dares in University, which they can find by looking on the Bulletin Boards located at Fraternities, Sororities, and Dormitories. They look similar to the Adventure Boards in World Adventures. Accomplishing these tasks can earn you Simoleons and Social Group influence.
Sims need to have a high academic performance, achieved through studying, paying attention at classes and lectures, and enhanced by a Sim's existing skills. 
Examinations will occur on Fridays. Sims can study from textbooks, computers and smartphones, or create a study group with up to three other Sims (four total). They can also cheat on the examinations by making a study sheet and using the "Cheat" tone, but they might get caught. Sims with a high computer hacking skill can find examination answers the day before that examination on a computer. There is also a final examination. Minimal studying and a poor mood will likely result in a failing grade. Failing it will make a major impact on their final grade.
Sims can drop out of university, but this may affect their life in some way. They can be kicked out of a class for cheating, but not out of the university, although they can lose their scholarship.
Graduations happen after Sims complete their major, the times varying based on major and when the Sim began to attend university. The time needed to graduate will depend on how many classes the Sim takes.SimsVIP’s University Life Q&A & Exclusive Screens (SimsVIP) Sims graduating will don graduation robes and mortar boards. If Sims graduate from university, they will get an extra trait slot and career benefits, depending on major. The grades will affect the advantages, therefore Sims with higher grades will get more bonuses, while Sims with lower grades will never get any benefits.
Graduated Sims who want to meet the Sims from university can call them to have them visit their home town. These Sims from university are called "university friends", which functions similarly to "foreign friends" in World Adventures.
;University buildings
Some of the university buildings are built inside of shells, similar to Late Night's apartment building shells, where the interior can be customized while the exterior cannot.
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.
;Majors
Sims can study for majors in Business, Science and Medicine, Technology, Physical Education, Fine Arts and Communications.
They will receive a study object which helps them to improve their academic performance.
Major 	Name of study object 	Interactions
Communications 	Frequency Fun Mobile Radio StationThe Sims 3 University Life Intro (TS3 Blog)	Conduct interviews and report on events within campus/the world
Business 	Workface Warrior Business Planner 	Work On Business Plan/Present Business Plan
Science and Medicine	"Them Bones" Anatomy Skeleton 	Bone Up on Anatomy, Test Skeletal Structure
Technology 	Cerebralizing Brain Enhancing Machine (has two versions) 	Study Brain
Physical Education 	"Them Bones" Anatomy Skeleton 	(Same as Science and Medicine)
Fine Arts 	Sketchbook 	Practice Sketching, sketch other Sims
;New lot types
Community
*University hangout ("University Quad")
*Student union ("Conners Student Union Building")
*Java hut ("Roasted Toasted Beans Coffee Shop")
*Nerd shop ("Keith's Komics")
*Rebel hangout ("The Grotto")
*Arcade ("B's Bowlarama")
Community (University only)
*Dormitory
*Fraternity
*Sorority
Residential (home world only)
*Apartment
The java hut lot in University Life is different from the Coffeehouse lot from Showtime. While the java hut has an interior with a barista bar which is interactive, the Coffeehouse does not. The shop will open from 9am to 1am.
Hobby shops are open from 8am to 2am.
;New rabbit holes
*Administration center ("St. John Administration Center")
*Annex ("Schmidt Memorial Stadium & Annex")
*Bookstore ("University Bookstore")
*Grocery ("Night Owl Foods")
*School of Art ("Thomas School of Art")
*School of Business ("Nichols School of Business")
*School of Science ("Busche School of Science")
*Theater ("25 Frames Cinema")
Dormitories can be built and edited through Edit Town mode. These dormitories will automatically fill in with Sims acting as roommates.The Sims 3 University Life: Building, PlantSims, and Additional Fun Facts (TS3 Blog)
Sims can rent a dorm room or pay and rent an individual house in Sims University. Renting a house is more expensive than living in dorms. Unlike The Sims 2: University, dorms are completely customizable. Players can "set bed ownership" for the Sims by clicking a bed. Sims can kick out their roommates, or request for roommate reassignments (only in University).
Sims do not pay bills while in University. However, they do earn money if they have roommates (only applies to in rent houses in University). How much money a Sim earns depends on how many roommates they have.
Sorority houses are for female Sims while fraternity houses are for male Sims. These houses are more for the social side of the Sims' university life. Sims living in these houses are likely to be dared to do some actions by other Sims.
Apartment lots are similar to dormitories. but Sims living in apartments pay the rent each week. The rent cost is determined by the overall value of the lot.
;Social groupsIrresistible to Socially Awkward: A Social Life for Every Sim! (TS3 Blog)
Social groups are groups of Sims who usually socialize with one another and have particularly similar interests, skills, and attitudes. Your Sim can gain influence with as many of these groups they desire. These groups still exist outside of the university. To learn a Sim's social group, hover over the Sim with the mouse.
Sims can choose to join the three social groups: nerds, jocks, and rebels. They can be in more than one social group, and the groups are optional to join. Interacting with a Sim in a certain social group may result in your Sim gaining influence with that group, even if not intended.
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 like to stand apart from the crowd. They usually hang out at The Grotto, a hangout with a new pool table. They work on their Painting and Street Art skills, as they usually tag walls on the university and drink organic brew from barista bars. They like to add herbs to their drinks and they are known for organizing protests on campus.
The Nerds like to be smart. They usually hang out at Keith's Komics in Sims University which is an 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.
Sims can hang out with these groups and gain credibility, which can offer advantages to them, such as lifetime rewards and unlock new social interactions. To check their current status to the groups, there is the "Check Social Groups" interaction on the Sims' smartphones.
;New careers
If the Sims become a legend with their social group, they may land a career like:
*Nerds - Video game developer
*Rebels - Art appraiser
*Jocks - Sports Agent
;New NPCs
*Llama MascotThe Llama Mascot will drop off a package with freebies in your Sims' residential lot. It will also provide an aptitude test for them. Being friends with the mascot can lead to apprenticeship and your Sim will learn some dance moves.
*BaristaA barista works in a Java Hut.
;New life state - PlantSims
*PlantSims cannot be created in Create a Sim, however Sims can become PlantSims through eating a Forbidden Fruit or taking part in a science experiment at university.
*PlantSims have special relationships with plants and can converse with harvestable plants.
*PlantSims do not need to eat, but need to keep hydrated. They can keep hydrated by absorbing water through activities such as swimming, bathing, absorbing puddles and photosynthesizing.
*A PlantSim's Flower Kisses cause obsession and their Poisonous Kisses cause sickness in Sims.
*PlantSims can be in households. It is possible but rare to meet a random PlantSim around town. They can be grown.
;New interactions
*Sims will be able to streak, a feature from The Sims 2: University.
*Sims can chant the college song and "perform school cheer", a feature from The Sims 2: University. (Jocks only)
*Sims can protest.
There are new romantic options in University Life. Some of these 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 have a good relationship with them in order to do so successfully.
They can tag a wall or draw murals of varying sizes using a street art kit. Sometimes, it can trigger the police's attention, unless you're creating commissioned street art.
Sims can get two extra trait slots. One for reaching level 8 in a social group and one for graduating with a degree.
;Smartphone
The standard phone in the Sims' inventory is replaced with a smartphone, which looks like a Blackberry 10 or Android smartphone. This smartphone comes with a variety of new skins to apply, which are unlocked as the skill level grows. It functions the same as the standard phone, but with new features such as:
*Social networking (texting, blogging, browsing the web, streaming a video, etc.)
*Take photos
**Self-portrait photos or photos with other Sims (requires Jock influence)
**Romantic photos with a kiss
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. Photos that are not taken out of a Sim's smartphone before the Sim leaves University will be erased from the phone.
Sims can also send texts on their Smartphones. They can send secret admirer texts, insulting texts, woohooty texts, breakup texts or friendly texts.
;New traits
*Avant Garde
*Irresistible
*Socially Awkward
Certain traits can now affect how well a student does in University. For example, Ambitious Sims will excel at University, while Absent-Minded Sims will have a harder time. Social Butterflys will benefit in the pursuit of a Communications Degree, while Shy Sims would not be wise to do so. Check CAS for more information.
;New skills
*Street Art
*Science
*Social Networking
*Photography (carried forward from World Adventures)
;Social networking
The social networking features work in smartphones. The skill can be increased by browsing the web from the phone, streaming a video, texting, and blogging, and by doing so, Sims will unlock new social networking interactions.
In blogging, Sims can select a blog theme and attach photos to their blogs. The more they blog, the more followers they get (or lose), which helps to gain influence with social groups faster, have better attended protests and get more Simoleons for donation and buyouts of their blog.
As Sims build this skill, they unlock different smartphone applications in their smartphones. Such applications are:
*Sim Finder - helps Sims to easily find an unmet Sim
*Relationship Transmogrifier - set any relationship status to any Sim
;New deathUniversity Life: Two New Death Types/Ghosts (SimsVIP)
*Death by Blunt Force Trauma (Murphy Bed/Vending Machine)
*Death by Ranting (Protest Against Death)
;New WooHoo spot
*Murphy bed
*Photobooth
;New lifetime reward
*Social Group Influence (2,000 LP) - Gain a substantial amount of influence with the (Rebel/Jock/Nerd) group.
*Honorary Degree (50,000 LP) - Pick a degree of your choice without attending University!
;New lifetime wishes
*Perfect Student - Earn a university degree with a perfect GPA.
*Scientific Specialist - Reach level 10 in Science skill and reach level 10 in any Scientific, Medical, or Business career.
*Street Credible - Reach level 10 of Street Art skill and create 7 masterpiece murals.
*Major Master - Earn three degrees
*Reach Max Influence with All Social Groups - Reach max influence with all social groups.
*Blog Artist - Reach level 10 in Social Networking skill and create a five-star blog.
;New Create-A-Sim items
Hair
There are 4 new hairstyles for female Sims and 4 new hairstyles for male Sims.
*Dreadlocks
*Side ponytail with headband
*Crop hair with barette.
*Windblown hair
*Messy hair in beanie
Clothes
There are 7 new clothes for female Sims and 6 new clothes for male Sims.
*Casual college inspired clothing
*Nerd, Rebel and Jock clothing
*Mascot (2 styles)
 Other CAS
*New tattoos
*New skin tone - PlantSim green
;New music
*Geek Rock
;New party types
*Bonfire Party
*Juice Kegger
*Masquerade (Limited Edition)
*Toga Party (Limited Edition)
New objects
*Backpacks
* Fun Mobile Radio Station (Communication)
*Frisbee
*Internal Reflections Sketchbook (Fine Arts)
*Juice keg
*Ping pong table
*Roentgen Register
*Science research station
*Soccer ball
*Street Art kit
*"Them Bones" Anatomy Skeleton (Science & Medicine)
*University Welcome Kit
*Whiteboard
*Workforce Warrior Business Planner (Business)
Returning objects
*Arcade machines
*Arcade tables
*Barista bar
*Bonfire
*Bowling alley
*Bunk beds
*Foosball table
*Kicky bag
*Laundry
*Megaphone
*Mini fridge
*Murphy bed
*Photo booth
*Podium
*Vending machines
Sims roast food on the bonfire or throw things into the flames. Throwing something on the bonfire will give positive or negative results, for example, a test tube will cause a Sim to be smelly.
Sims can do bowling moves at the bowling alley.
Vending machines can malfunction, but can work again if they are shaken. Sims who do this have a chance of dying of "blunt force trauma".
;New games
*Bowling
*Ping Pong
*Juice Pong
*Frisbee
;New food and drinks
Barista bar
Organic Brew 	Herbal Teas	Energy Drinks 	Hot Beverage 	Food
Kona Lift 	Ginseng 	Chamomile Kick 	Soy Cappuccino 	Brownie
Midnight Mud 	Sweet Grass	Greenleafpalooza 	Chai with Extra Foam 	Cookie
Cortado 	Cinnamon 	Peppermint Party 	Non-Fat Chai 	Donut
Red Rocket 	Basil 	Garlicious 	Strawberry Soy Cappuccino with Extra Foam 	Bagel
Maui Slappuccino	Lavender 	In Your Face Lime 	Non-Fat Chai with Cinnamon Swirl 	Muffin
 	Peppermint 	Spud Suds Shock 	Strawberry Non-Fat Frothiccino with Chocolate Sprinkles	Key Lime Pie
 	Wonderpetal	Watermelon Mushroom Cloud	 	Cheese Danish
 	Chamomile 	Licorice Energsplosion 	 	Slice of Cake
 	Bumbleleaf 	Buzzberry Rush 	 	
 	Greenleaf 	Wondrous Onyum 	 	
 	Licorice 	Ridiculous Red Apple 	 	
 	Buzzberry 	 	 	
*Quick meals and microwave recipes
*Soda and sweets can be obtained from vending machines.
;Herbs
*Herbs are used to make herbal tea and can be thrown on a bonfire to create funny effects.
*Sims can add herbs to any meal if they have any in their inventory.
*Each herb can affect Sims in different ways.
*Using too many herbs make Sims sickSims 3 Community Day: February 2013 (SimsVIP) and cause nausea.
*Sims can do the cinnamon challenge.
;New collectibles
*Herbs
*Insects
==References==
Category:University Life