What is going on with failing classes?

We can pretty easily keep track on homework, presentations and term papers. But if it is required that we build one specific skill in each class/subject, I wish there was a way to at least see what skill it is, in the UI. It shouldn't be needed to keep writing on a piece of paper next to your game. One of my sims picked one elective, the Parenting subject, and it did not truck me that he will need to build parenting skill aside of the extra class work. It says nothing about it in the UI, or did I miss something?

"Simmerville;c-17329397" wrote:
We can pretty easily keep track on homework, presentations and term papers. But if it is required that we build one specific skill in each class/subject, I wish there was a way to at least see what skill it is, in the UI. It shouldn't be needed to keep writing on a piece of paper next to your game. One of my sims picked one elective, the Parenting subject, and it did not truck me that he will need to build parenting skill aside of the extra class work. It says nothing about it in the UI, or did I miss something?

Each specific course specifies which skill it relates to. Just finished a distinguished physics degree. Early courses covered handiness and robotics respectively, but later, handiness seemed no longer a thing and it was rocket science and robotics. In other words, one skill per course but not necessarily just one skill per degree program.

Also studying seems a poor way to develop skills. It seems like it is set at a much lower learning rate than using a skill book. And the expensive course book seems pretty useless (although frankly, I have been in courses like that in RL.... )

"LDraconis;c-17329463" wrote:

"Simmerville;c-17329397" wrote:
We can pretty easily keep track on homework, presentations and term papers. But if it is required that we build one specific skill in each class/subject, I wish there was a way to at least see what skill it is, in the UI. It shouldn't be needed to keep writing on a piece of paper next to your game. One of my sims picked one elective, the Parenting subject, and it did not truck me that he will need to build parenting skill aside of the extra class work. It says nothing about it in the UI, or did I miss something?

Each specific course specifies which skill it relates to. Just finished a distinguished physics degree. Early courses covered handiness and robotics respectively, but later, handiness seemed no longer a thing and it was rocket science and robotics. In other words, one skill per course but not necessarily just one skill per degree program.

Also studying seems a poor way to develop skills. It seems like it is set at a much lower learning rate than using a skill book. And the expensive course book seems pretty useless (although frankly, I have been in courses like that in RL.... )

Yepp, my students do read the costy skill book occasionally, but how would I figure that the required skill changes half way through a degree?

Edit: Just opened game, and the required skill is given in the term task list - right in my face :)

Maybe you need to reach a specific skill otherwise you will have lower grades? I am not sure how that works.

I am also not sure what the messages mean when they have finished attending class, if I attend the class normally then I get the message that they handed in their homework and focused during the whole class, if I select anything else like listen actively or taking notes then I can get a message that said that others listened more, so I have always just attended classes normally and I have ended up with nothing but A+ so far.

It doesn't help either that I have no idea if doing the homework before an exam helps. I get the same message that they handed in their homework after they have done the exam. It's also super confusing that you have to look at how many days you have left to guess what day the exam is.

"logion;c-17329500" wrote:
Maybe you need to reach a specific skill otherwise you will have lower grades? I am not sure how that works.

I am also not sure what the messages mean when they have finished attending class, if I attend the class normally then I get the message that they handed in their homework and focused during the whole class, if I select anything else like listen actively or taking notes then I can get a message that said that others listened more, so I have always just attended classes normally and I have ended up with nothing but A+ so far.

It doesn't help either that I have no idea if doing the homework before an exam helps. I get the same message that they handed in their homework after they have done the exam. It's also super confusing that you have to look at how many days you have left to guess what day the exam is.

Yes, I think the UI and how they decided to grade the classes (and not show a progress bar or anything), how the days go by and such are confussing and could have been designed much better.

In the tasks list I focus a lot more on deadlines than on the titles of their subjects. So I'd much prefer the tasks sorted by deadline instead of subject. It would also help a lot if the list is too long to show all subjects. On my screen I can only see first 3 tasks, and I actually missed one exam because I wasn't aware the list was longer for this one sim.

I think it is a bug, I had the same problem yesterday. My Sim did his homework, wrote his term paper, did his presentation. Each and every one of them were outstanding quality. He was awarded an A+ for 2 classes and F for the other 2. One of them was an elective so I thought the skill thing might make sense, but the other was a logic class in which he is at level 5, so why would he fail the class?
It seems to be kind of random, a glitch just like the presentation board given for the wrong class :neutral:

I'd like to say I'm having the same problem. Homework and presentations/term papers all done, and I'd still fail classes. I figured out the skill gain thing, but I hope they fix it...or at least make it easier to manage :|

My first try i failed too. I find that instead of actually going to the computer and studying for the course. I do something else related to the degree. Like if I'm majoring in Computer Science, I practice programming and other things associated with that. Just make sure to do the homework each day and turn in term papers and presentations the earliest you can. I would also recommend not taking nothing but 2 or 3 classes at a time.

My first student has just signed up for her third term of three classes. She earned straight A+ for the first six classes. She never studied at all. However, she did work diligently to improve her skill levels required for each class, did her homework immediately after class when possible, edited term papers until outstanding and then turned them in and was always on time or early for class. I also tried to make sure she was focused when going to class, always made sure all needs were in the green or maxed and had her take notes only while in class.

She's working towards a Distinguished degree in Computer Sciences at Foxbury. I believe she was accepted for this program because she's maxed out in Programming from hacking accounts to survive. First term she lived in Tidal Tower dorms, second term she moved out to live in her own tiny house. It's the weekend and her third term starts on Monday. I'm waiting to have her begin writing term papers until she's attended at least one class requiring the term paper. Why? I read in another thread that someone had written and turned in their term papers before any classes even started and were accused of cheating for it. o.O

Other details about my Sim include the fact she doesn't belong to any organizations, attended guest lectures and has raised her Research & Debate skills to Level 6. I wish that Research machine wasn't so expensive, otherwise I'd buy her one to use at home. It's handy for raising skills and they can earn money for sharing knowledge, but I dislike how other Sims constantly pester her while she's using it. Especially this one particular female professor. It's almost as if she's stalking her or something. Maybe she has a crush on my Sim? lol She is kinda cute, hmm...

...nah, best wait until she has her degree in hand and then think about pursuing any kind of romantic or otherwise relationships. She has a BFF already anyway, Angela Pleasant, or I'd consider my Sim befriending her at least. She's also a bit enamored with Cameron Fletcher, but hasn't pushed anything with him as of yet.

Anyway, it's my belief that grades are extremely skewed toward skill levels at the base, but also factors in being on time for class, taking notes and turning in outstanding term papers and presentations. I wouldn't bother buying those expensive study guides or studying at all. My Sim didn't. *shrugs*