When I play a new Sim, the first thing I do is send them off for necessities (Grocery & Bookstore) and then to the local library. At the library I have them read the first chapters of:
1- Charisma
*After the first skill point this book is no longer needed as they increase the skill by meeting and interacting with the Sims of the town.
2- Logic
*Increasing their logic allows the sim to learn and process information bit faster.
3- Cooking (especially for stove-challenged sims)
*Autumn Salad is fine but, you can't make PB&J until you have that 1st skill point. And there has been plenty of times my Sims have eaten a hearty PB&J sandwich for breakfast until their cooking skill passed level 4 then it's fruit parfait.
4- Handiness
*Cuz, that toilet is going to clog, and the sink will break all sooner than you would like!
Having them read the skill books lets me know if they are a sim who is naturally a fast learner or if the game created them as a slow learner. Once I have a clue as to how quickly they can learn, then I can better make plans on how to guide them.
Working:
I do not get them jobs until they can take care of the basics for themselves. Once they have a job/career/profession, the daily schedule they keep all depends on the career path they are in. However, there are a few things which I adhere to all across the board.
Time:
1). I do not allow my Sims to rise before 5:00am.
2). Unless it is unavoidable, I do not allow my adult working Sims to stay up past 11pm during the work week (this does not apply to sims in Bridgeport).
3).Children have bedtime limit of 9pm.
The reason for this is simple, effective learning, meaningful socialization and even fulfilling relaxation slows down the more tired they become. In the mornings, on this schedule, everyone has time to get ready for the day and have a good breakfast without rushing. Couples (& Families) can socialize over the breakfast table. While, children can have a little bit of time to play or watch TV (kids shows) before school begins.
Free time, which is totally autonomous comes on the weekends as long as all of the household chores are done and there isn't any unfinished business from the previous week. This is when I let them use the day however they want (until bedtime, that is) ;). Since my actives can't leave the house of their own free will, I keep an eye out for all of those 'go here' requests on that day.
