Stuck in Loading Screen Returning from University

[Tilia]

My sims have tried 3x now to return from university.  All three times the loading screen works normally for about ten minutes, then sounds of the game resuming happen (opportunity music, notification clicks, etc.) but the loading screen stays.  It continues to cycle through the "test" screens, but these no longer react to interactivity.  It just loads indefinitely.  I've left it up this time for over an hour.

Ideas?

[MarianT]

You could try going to options, which you can access before starting your game, and click on "disable loading screen" (it's under the button for memories).