Copperdale is weird. Honestly, if you’ve spent more than twenty minutes in the world that came with the Sims 4 High School Years expansion, you know exactly what I mean. It’s this strange, misty mix of Pacific Northwest vibes and high-stakes social anxiety. One minute you’re failing a math quiz because you decided to prank the whiteboards, and the next, you’re trying to figure out why your Sim is suddenly "cringey" because of a new social trait. It’s a lot.
People expected this pack to be a simple remake of The Sims 3: Generations, but it isn’t that. Not even close. It’s more of an active career pack disguised as a life stage update. You don’t just send your teens off to a rabbit hole anymore. You actually go with them. You sit through the classes. You eat the questionable cafeteria food. It’s grueling in a way that feels surprisingly authentic to being fifteen.
The Chaos of the Active School Day
Most players go into Sims 4 High School Years thinking they’ll be the star student. Good luck with that. The timing in this game is famously tight, and school is no exception. Between the first bell and the end of the day, you have a tiny window to socialize, find your locker, and actually make it to class. If you spend too much time talking to Kevin Puri—the designated teen "himbo" of Copperdale—you’re going to be late. The teacher will yell. Your grades will slip. It’s stressful.
The actual classroom mechanics are... well, they’re okay. You sit at a desk. You take notes. Sometimes you get a pop-up asking how you want to handle a situation. But the real game happens in the hallways. This is where the "Social Bunny" app comes into play. It’s a literal in-game social media platform where you can post about your lunch or your latest crush. Some people find it annoying because the notifications are constant, but if you want to climb the social ladder, you have to use it. It’s basically mandatory for the "Admired Icon" aspiration.
What People Get Wrong About Trends and Thrifting
There’s this misconception that the "Trendi" system is just a side hobby. It’s actually a broken way to get rich. You go to ThriftTea—which is a bubble tea shop and a thrift store combined—and you curate outfits. You can name these outfits things like "Goth Garden Party" or "Chaos Core." If you have enough followers on the in-game app, you can sell a thrifted shirt for 100,000 Simoleons. It’s ridiculous. It completely breaks the game's economy if you let it.
But the clothing itself is some of the best we’ve seen in years. Maxis collaborated with real-life Depop creators like Meryum B and Bella McFadden (Internet Girl) to design these pieces. You can see the difference. The textures look more lived-in. There’s a specific kind of Y2K grime to some of the items that fits the teen aesthetic perfectly. It doesn't feel like the "Parental Approved" teen clothes we got in the base game back in 2014.
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The Prom Dilemma
Prom is the big finale. Every Saturday. Yes, every single Saturday. If you play on a long lifespan, you will go to prom approximately fifty times before you graduate. It gets repetitive, but the drama is real. You have to ask someone to go with you, or you can go "as friends," or you can even be "prom-posed" to.
Getting the Prom Royalty title is harder than it looks. You need to be liked. You need to look good. And you need to hope the AI doesn't glitch out and make everyone stand in the corner for four hours. When it works, it’s a core memory for your Sim. When it doesn't, it’s a chaotic mess of Sims resetting their animations while the music plays to an empty dance floor.
Beyond the Classroom: Puberty and Identity
One of the more subtle, but actually massive, additions in Sims 4 High School Years was the introduction of body hair. It’s not just for teens, but they’re the ones who have to deal with it growing in real-time. Your Sim will get a moodlet when their leg hair or facial hair gets too long. You have to go to the mirror and shave. It’s a small detail that adds a layer of "life simulator" that the game had been missing for a decade.
Then there’s the sexual orientation system. This was patched in alongside the pack and it’s deep. You can set who your Sim is attracted to, whether that attraction can change over time, and whether they are interested in "Messing Around" (the teen version of WooHoo). It’s a huge step for representation, allowing players to create asexual or aromantic Sims, or Sims who are still figuring things out. It makes the high school romances feel way less "one size fits all."
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Living in Copperdale
The world itself is beautiful but a bit empty. There’s a fairground with a Ferris wheel and a haunted house. It’s great for dates. You can actually sit in the booths and talk, which is a nice change from the usual "stand and talk" interactions. However, you can’t see inside the rides. Your Sims just disappear into the tunnel of love and come out with a moodlet. It’s a bit of a letdown if you were hoping for a full theme park experience, but the scenery is top-tier for screenshots.
Dealing with the "Cringe" and New Fears
The "Wants and Fears" system really shines (or haunts you) here. Teens are prone to the "Fear of Being Judged" or the "Fear of Failing Classes." These aren't just icons; they change how your Sim interacts. A Sim with a fear of failure will Tense up during exams, making them more likely to actually fail. It’s a vicious cycle.
The new traits like "Overachiever" or "Socially Awkward" change the gameplay loop significantly. A Socially Awkward Sim will get unique dialogue options, but they also have a higher chance of failing a joke or a flirt. It’s endearing. It makes the Sims feel like individuals rather than just dolls you’re moving around a house.
Graduation and Beyond
When the end finally comes, you get a graduation ceremony. You wear the gown. You get the diploma. If you did well, you might even be the Valedictorian. This isn't just for show; your performance in high school dictates your starting level in careers or your chances of getting into a good university if you have the Discover University pack. The synergy between those two packs is where the game really starts to feel like a cohesive life journey.
If you drop out—which is an option—you’re barred from certain careers until you get an online high school diploma. It’s a harsh reality check that The Sims usually avoids.
Practical Steps for Masterful Gameplay
If you’re just starting your journey in Copperdale, stop trying to do everything at once. You can't. You'll burn out your Sim and yourself. Pick one goal per week. Week one? Just survive the classes and find a friend group. Week two? Start a side hustle on Trendi or the "Locker Side Hustle" (selling outfits you’ve put together).
- Check the Calendar. The school events, proms, and football team rallies are all listed there. If you miss the rally, you miss out on unique items.
- Use the Lockers. They aren't just decoration. You can claim one, decorate it to match your vibe, and even use it to store books or grab a quick snack between periods.
- Prank at Your Own Risk. If you get caught pranking the principal's office, you’re getting detention. Detention takes up your after-school time, which means no hanging out at the pier.
- Master Social Bunny. Post every time something happens. Had a good meal? Post it. Saw a ghost? Post it. It's the easiest way to keep your social bar full without actually talking to anyone.
Sims 4 High School Years isn't a perfect expansion, but it’s the most "human" the game has felt in a long time. It captures that specific brand of teenage embarrassment that we’ve all experienced. Whether you’re trying to become a famous Simfluencer or just trying to pass your science exam without peeing yourself, it’s a ride worth taking. Just remember to shave your legs before prom. Or don't. It's your story.