*College dropout uses Sim-self to successfully graduate*

Rather than try to get a review out quickly after a pack released, I wanted to take my time with this one and get as much as I could out of it before finalizing my thoughts. I rushed through Island Living and called it one of my favorite expansion packs and now I genuinely forget about the world.

Which speaking of, here are my other Sims 4 reviews:

x Strangerville

x Island Living

x Moschino Stuff Pack

x Realm of Magic

I don’t want to talk about the actual gameplay too much but get into the pros and cons of the pack. And if you don’t feel like reading all that, the answer to the question is at the very bottom of the post.

Enrolling In University

Yes, I used my Sim-self to play through this. I took three semesters in real life before dropping out and wanted to see if my Sim could do what could not: graduate (even though I dropped out for financial reasons…)

My Sim picked Language as her degree (writing, obviously) but since she could not go for a “Distinguished Degree” at Britechester, she started at Foxbury, picked a dorm, and moved in.

It took a few days, but she eventually got in a rhythm. If you want your Sim to do well, then there really isn’t much time for them to have fun. I had to buy her those earbuds that come with the Fitness Pack so it would raise her fun while she did homework.

However, I liked seeing her run to class with those earbuds. She literally looked like me when I was in college.

I didn’t have her join any organizations, but if you plan on taking four classes, it can get hard, which is awesome.

I was annoyed that by the fourth and last term, she could not transfer to Britechester despite having a level 6 skill in writing and charisma and a 5 in debate? I don’t know what the requirements are, it didn’t say, so she graduated through Foxbury with a regular degree, but did start her writing job with a higher level.

Pros

• Cas for females and males is one of my favorites to date. It’s versatile and I would wear most of the tops in real life. That cardigan with a tied shirt is what I literally wear daily.

• I’m just so happy with the males. They get more options with some brighter colors.
• Piercings!
• The new tattoos are great. They’re small and more realistic than the ones we already had.

• A new world!
• Two universities! 
• New jobs!
• Applying for University, scholarships, and waiting is easy and realistic.
• I’m glad they included all the preexisting jobs/skills as a degree option.
• Taking out a loan.
• Being able to have a roommate in any situation and not just dorms.
• I didn’t mind the dorms (although some could use a renovation.) I like that you can assign beds for the NPCs and assign your own roommate.

• Locking your computer so no one else can use it almost makes this whole thing worth it. I’m so glad that when Sims come over to my house they won’t be on the computer the whole time.
• I like that the only decorating you can do for your dorm is by buying items from the kiosks on campus. It’s more realistic. I also had rather big dorms (and my own bathroom) when I went to school so I like the sizes.

• Bathroom stalls and new showers.
• When other Sims come over to your dorm, it will say below their name, “Roommate’s Boyfriend” or “Friend” so you know what they’re doing there. Or your Sim’s parent will just randomly show up.
• I’m pleasantly surprised by the gameplay. It’s not easy managing four classes with homework, papers, and exams. My Sim didn’t even join any activities or had a part-time job. Of course, you can pick as many classes as you want to take, which leaves extra time for those things.

• Doing homework does take up some time.
• Even though you don’t join your Sims in class, there are still options like when they’re at a job. So you can have them actively listen or chat with others or take it easy.
• Ping pong tables. I didn’t know how much my Sim would play but until we got them. The same with soccer balls. At least my Sim-self is good at soccer…

• Organizations like debate or robotics. I wanted to join the art one, but only Britechester offered it.
• A secret organization.
• Bikes!

• You can live off-campus, which my Sim did for her last two terms.
• If you decide to move your Sim out, there is an event called, “Packing Up” which gives you time to grab your things before moving. I love that.
• The different events that go on around campus. My Sim went to soccer games, but there will be pop-ups for a party, or a spirit day, or robotics competition. And that was just Foxbury.

• I like the Commons and your Sim getting food there. They can socialize, do homework, and talk to professors for help.
• Mini fridges and overall Build & Buy. Others have mentioned the Ikea vibe, which it definitely has. I love the mini plants.
• More clutter!

• Roommates are realistic, as in when my Sim moved into a house, she didn’t get along with them. Granted, two were evil, but it just reminded me of my own college days.
• Your Sim can sit in on a skill class (which you have to pay for,) tutor, or visit professors.
• Terms aren’t super long, just seven days, but you get the weekend to catch up on things since they only start Tuesday-Friday.
• You can swim in certain areas.
• And to end this list: shower woo-hoo.

Cons

• Although this pack is centered around University, I wish kids got something to do, even being able to play ping pong or riding bikes.
• No new traits. I just wanted a few. The ones we have can get stale and just a few like “procrastinator” or “hard-worker.”
• Only one aspiration and it’s just University related.
• The builds aren’t the worst, but I hoped my Sim could spend time at the library like I did, but there wasn’t much to do. The same with the bar. Obviously, they can be rebuilt but it’s just the idea.

• Aside from homework, you don’t get a progress bar when writing term papers or working on presentations so you don’t know how long until your Sim is done. I  noticed when my Sim leveled up a skill she was close to finishing but not every time.
• Graduation is a rabbit hole. I wish I could’ve seen it.

Personal Gripes

• The cost of tuition and the cost of books should be switched. It only costs, on average, $250 for each class but books cost $700? In the end, my Sim only had to pay $1,000 for her first term.
• The total wouldn’t be outrageous if classes were $700 but at least more realistic.
• Although I didn’t find it too hard to read the side panel for my classes, it should be a little bit easier to follow. I wish we got a planner, like the calendar with seasons. It would open up with each day of the week laid out and the times of the classes.
• Like I said, I didn’t know what skill levels my Sim had to be at to get a Distinguished Degree. 
• You’d think, with bikes being introduced, they would’ve created more of a flat world, or at least added more ramps. I liked watching my Sim ride to class, but instead of just riding around the steps on another path, she stopped, got off, put the bike away, then ran down the stairs, and was late. She also rode through buildings…
• I personally wish there were a few more lots in the world to build houses or a gym, but again, that’s just me.

Other Comments That Don’t Fit Into the Other Categories

• I don’t know if anyone else ran into this, but my roommates, whether they were in the dorm or house, ALWAYS brought plates of food, like pasta or omelets. I would literally steal and put them in my mini-fridge and wouldn’t have to leave, so not having a kitchen in the dorms never mattered.

• Your Sim should usually leave for their class an hour before it starts. This could be a good or bad thing. It’s fun to see them run through campus to the building, but if their first class ends at 9:25 and the next starts at 9:30 but the building is across campus, they could be late.

Is Discover University Worth It?

It took me (as in, real-life me) over a week to finish the gameplay and for my Sim to graduate. Granted, that was with a job + doing other things, but I am so happy that it actually takes time to get through University, and my Sim didn’t do everything I wanted her to.

There are so many ways to play University, whether your Sim is a Young Adult or Elder with kids. They could literally take one class per term and be in University forever.

The answer is: yes, it is worth it. If you’ve been disappointed with the last few packs, University will make up for it. Is it perfect? No, there’s a lot that could be improved. I personally never cared about going to class with my Sim, but maybe you do.

I like that The Sims 4: Discover University has challenge behind it. It’s not something you can play through in two hours, which is an upgrade from say, Realm of Magic.

Have you played Discover University? What did you think?

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