You're staring at the screen. Your Sim is starving, the house is a mess, and that little yellow folder is just sitting in their inventory, mocking you. Honestly, figuring out how to make a sim do homework shouldn't feel like pulling teeth, but sometimes it really does. Whether you're dealing with a rebellious teen in The Sims 4 or a child Sim who would rather play with the dollhouse for the tenth time today, getting those grades up is a grind. It’s basically a rite of passage for every player. You start with grand ambitions of a straight-A student and end up just hoping they don't get taken by the social worker because they spent three days straight playing "Blickblock" instead of studying.
Where is that folder anyway?
Before you can even start, you have to find the damn thing. In The Sims 4, the homework folder is automatically placed in the child or teen's inventory the second they join a school. If it’s gone—and let’s be real, Sims love to leave their belongings in the weirdest places, like the middle of the park or behind a bush—you’re stuck. You've gotta go to a bookshelf. Buying a new one costs 1 dollar. Just click the bookshelf, select "Purchase Books," and look under the "Children" category. It's cheap, but it's an annoying extra step when you're already on a time crunch before the school bus arrives at 8:00 AM.
The mechanics are simple: click the folder in the inventory and select "Do Homework." But that’s where the "Sims logic" kicks in. If their "Fun" need is too low, they’ll get the "Tense" moodlet. A Tense Sim works at a snail's pace. It’s brutal. You’re sitting there watching the progress bar move like a glacier while the clock ticks toward midnight. If you want them to finish faster, you need them "Focused."
The "Focused" Moodlet is your best friend
I cannot stress this enough: don't make them study while they're bored or sad. It’s a waste of time. Instead, have them "Ponder Moves" on a chessboard or "Browse Simpedia" on the computer. These actions give a +1 Focused moodlet. If you have the Sims 4: Parenthood game pack, you can even have a parent "Help with Homework." This is the gold standard. Not only does it make the bar fill up way faster, but it also builds the "Responsibility" character value. It's a two-for-one deal that makes the late-game rewards much better when they grow up.
Why they won't just sit down
Sometimes you click the button and... nothing. They pathfind to a chair, sit down, stand up, and then go get a glass of water. It's infuriating. Usually, this is because of a "routing" issue. Sims need a clear surface to do their work. A desk is the obvious choice, but they’ll also use dining tables or even the floor if they're desperate.
👉 See also: Will My Computer Play It? What People Get Wrong About System Requirements
Check for clutter. If there's a dirty plate or a decorative plant blocking the slot on the desk, they’ll cancel the action. Also, check their mood. A Sim with a full bladder or a "Very Embarrassed" moodlet is going to prioritize their misery over their education every single time.
Different games, different rules
If you're playing The Sims 3, homework is a bit more of a physical presence. They’ll often drop it on the floor the moment they walk through the front door. If you don't see it in their inventory, check the front porch. In The Sims 2, it was even more chaotic—if they didn't do it, the pile of notebooks just grew until they were literally buried in paper. But in the modern era of the franchise, it’s mostly about managing that inventory folder.
Interestingly, if you have The Sims 4: Discover University, the stakes get way higher. College homework isn't just a folder; it's a textbook. And it takes forever. We’re talking five to six in-game hours per class if you don't have a high "Research and Debate" skill. If you're wondering how to make a sim do homework at the university level, the answer is usually: "start at 6 PM and pray they finish by dawn."
Leveling up the speed
There are actual ways to cheat the system without typing testingcheats true. Well, sort of.
✨ Don't miss: First Name in Country Crossword: Why These Clues Trip You Up
- The "Top Notch Toddler" Trait: If your Sim was a superstar toddler, they learn skills faster as children. This subtly impacts how quickly they breeze through school tasks.
- Club Perks: If you have the Get Together expansion, create a "Study Club." Set the club activity to "Do Homework." Buy the "Social Skill Boost" or "Homework Boost" perks. When the club gathering is active, they will finish their work in a fraction of the time. It’s kiiinda broken, honestly.
- The Research Machine: If you’re in University, use the research machines in the library. It’s faster than the textbook.
- High-Quality Furniture: It sounds fake, but a "comfy" chair gives a moodlet that prevents them from getting "Sore" or "Uncomfortable" while studying for hours.
What about the "Extra Credit"?
Once the main homework is done, you’ll see an option for "Extra Credit" or "Study Hard." Do it. It’s the only way to get from a B to an A quickly. If you just do the bare minimum, their grade bar will barely budge. Also, make sure they go to school "Focused." You can influence this by having them "Review Flashcards" (if they're a child) or "Scope Long-term Goals" right before they walk out the door.
If you’re really struggling with a Sim who just won't listen, check their traits. "Lazy" Sims get a negative moodlet from doing chores or homework. "Genius" Sims get a boost. It’s all about working with the personality the game gave them—or the one you forced on them in Create-A-Sim.
Real talk: Is it worth it?
A lot of players ask if getting an "A" even matters. In The Sims 4, it actually does. If a teen graduates as an "A" student, they can start new careers at Level 3 instead of Level 1. That’s a huge jump in salary right out of the gate. Plus, if you have Discover University, better high school grades mean better scholarships. You're basically saving thousands of Simoleons just by making them sit at a desk for two hours a night.
Basically, you need to treat it like a scheduled event. Set a timer. 3:00 PM: School ends. 3:30 PM: Eat a snack. 4:00 PM: Homework. No exceptions. If you let them go play on the computer first, you’ve already lost the battle. They’ll get the "Played Games" moodlet, maybe some "Gaming Fatigue," and suddenly it's 11 PM and they're passing out on the floor.
🔗 Read more: The Dawn of the Brave Story Most Players Miss
Troubleshooting the "Reset" bug
Every once in a while, a Sim will get stuck in a loop where they pick up the homework and immediately put it back down. This is usually a script error. You can fix this by holding Shift and clicking the Sim, then selecting "Reset Object (Debug)." If that doesn't work, sell the homework folder and buy a new one. Sometimes the item itself gets "corrupted" if it's been sitting in a messy house for too long.
Practical Steps to Mastery
- Designate a Study Zone: Place a desk in a room with a "Studious" or "Science" aura. Items like the "Post-it Note" decor or certain awards give off an aura that helps Sims stay Focused.
- Force Social Interaction: Have a parent "Encourage" the Sim. It’s a specific interaction that appears under the "Parenting" menu. It keeps them on task.
- The Library Trip: If your house is too chaotic (too many toddlers, broken TVs, ghosts), go to the local library. The "Fast Internet" and "Good Schools" lot traits actually make a difference in how fast that progress bar fills up.
To really maximize your efficiency, always check the "Work" or "School" tab in the bottom right menu. It will tell you exactly what the requirement is for a promotion or a grade increase. Sometimes, just doing the homework isn't enough; they might need to level up their Mental or Creativity skill too. If you ignore those secondary goals, they’ll be stuck at a "C" forever, no matter how many folders they fill out.
Get that Focused moodlet active, clear off the dining room table, and make sure their hunger bar is green. If you do those three things, you'll never have to worry about the principal calling again. Once they finish, don't forget to put the folder back in their inventory—otherwise, they’ll show up to school "unprepared" and all that hard work will be for nothing.