Do You Age in University in The Sims 3? Everything You Need to Know
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Yes, your Sims do age while at university in The Sims 3, unless you have aging turned off in your game settings. The rate at which they age depends entirely on your chosen lifespan setting (short, normal, long, or epic). So, if you want to keep your Sim young forever, you’ll need to disable aging altogether. But for those who enjoy the realism of watching their Sims progress through life, university is just another stage, albeit a temporary one. Get ready for those wrinkles and gray hairs to creep in while your Sim is cramming for exams and partying with their new friends!
Diving Deep into University Life and Aging in The Sims 3
University in The Sims 3 offers a fantastic opportunity to enhance your Sim’s skills and career prospects. However, it also raises some questions about how the game handles aging during this specific life stage. Understanding the nuances of aging within the university environment can help you plan your Sim’s academic journey more effectively. Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about aging, pregnancy, relationships, and career advancement in university.
How Aging Works at University
As mentioned earlier, whether or not your Sims age during their university stay is tied to your global game settings. If you’re playing with aging enabled, your Sims will continue to age as normal while they’re attending classes, socializing, and pulling all-nighters to finish that term paper.
The amount they age is also determined by the length of their university stay. A Sim week equals one term, and a Sim can stay for one or two terms. So, a longer stay at university will result in more aging. If you’re playing with a short lifespan, this can significantly impact your Sim, potentially aging them up to the next life stage while they’re still trying to finish their degree. On the other hand, if you’re playing with an epic lifespan, the aging will be less noticeable.
Managing Aging During University
If you’re concerned about your Sim aging too quickly, you have a few options:
- Turn off aging entirely: This is the most straightforward solution, preventing your Sim from aging while they’re at university.
- Use Elixirs of Life: These can be purchased or brewed (if your Sim has the necessary skills) to reset your Sim’s lifespan.
- Lengthen your Sim’s lifespan: If you want to keep aging on, switching to a longer lifespan will give your Sim more time to complete their studies before aging up.
Ultimately, the best approach depends on your personal playstyle and the story you want to create for your Sims.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About University in The Sims 3
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify how university works within The Sims 3 and to offer additional tips.
1. How long is a term in Sims 3 University Life?
A: The shortest amount of time a Sim can stay at university is one Sim week, and the longest is two Sim weeks. You can customize your stay by selecting one or two terms (one term = one Sim week, two terms = two Sims weeks).
2. Can you get pregnant at university in Sims 3?
A: Yes, your Sims can get pregnant at university. However, the pregnancy won’t progress until they return to their home world. If your Sim impregnates a university townie, upon returning home, the pregnancy will have progressed, and the baby may have already aged into a child.
3. Can adult Sims go to university in Sims 3?
A: Only Young Adult Sims or older can apply to and attend university.
4. Can you live in the university town in Sims 3 permanently?
A: No, there is no new town added. University is a temporary stage. You choose any town you want to live in and then apply to university from there.
5. Is university in Sims 3 worth it?
A: Absolutely! University offers many benefits, including career boosts, extra trait slots, and a fun gameplay experience. It’s a great way to add depth and complexity to your Sims’ lives.
6. Can two female Sims have a science baby?
A: Yes, two female Sims (or any two Sims, regardless of gender) can have a science baby by using the “Ask to Have Science Baby” interaction under the “Friendly” > “Deep Thoughts” menu options.
7. Can I choose the gender of my baby in Sims 3?
A: Yes! When the pregnant Sim eats apples or anything with apples, she’ll have a boy. Eating watermelons or anything with watermelons will result in a girl.
8. Can Sims accidentally get pregnant in The Sims 3?
A: No. “Try for Baby” is required to begin the pregnancy process. Regular WooHoo never results in pregnancy, and Sims who are hoping to start a family in this way need to use the ‘Try for Baby’ option instead.
9. What happens after your Sims graduate from university?
A: After graduating with a degree, your Sim will enjoy various perks in related careers, including higher pay, easier promotions, more vacation days, and signing bonuses.
10. What are the benefits of a university degree in Sims 3?
A: Completing a degree with A-level grades grants an extra trait slot and provides career boosts relevant to your Sim’s major.
11. Can a Sim marry two Sims in The Sims 3?
A: Not exactly as you would think. The first marriage is pretty simple as long as neither sim is already married, just do it as you normally would. For any additional marriages between sims, go into CAS mode and set the relationship to Fiancee for the sims you want to marry. The game doesn’t support legal polygamy.
12. Can Sims have a job while at university?
A: Yes, Sims can work while attending university. Balancing work and studies can be challenging, but it’s possible.
13. Can Sims get married at university?
A: Yes, Sims can get married at university, but there may be a couple of things to consider. If the option to Propose->Marriage isn’t there or if you can’t click on the wedding arch, and if other Sim is living on a lot at university, you need to have him or her drop out or graduate before they can get married.
14. What are the odds of having twins or triplets in The Sims 3?
A: The base chance for twins is about 2.5%, and the chance for triplets is about 0.1%. These chances can be increased by watching the kids’ channel, reading pregnancy books, or using fertility treatments.
15. Which university is better, Foxbury or Britechester, in The Sims 4?
A: The two universities, Foxbury Institute and University of Britechester offer the same degrees, but each has a focus area that allows them to offer different Distinguished Degrees. For example, Britechester is more of a liberal arts school, while Foxbury excels at technology and science.
Conclusion
University in The Sims 3 is a valuable and enriching experience for your Sims, offering them new skills, career opportunities, and social connections. Understanding how aging works during this life stage allows you to manage your Sims’ time effectively and plan for their future. Whether you choose to embrace the aging process or find ways to slow it down, the key is to enjoy the unique challenges and rewards that university life brings. Games can teach us a lot, too. You can learn more at GamesLearningSociety.org.