Why Elite College Students Can’t Read Books Anymore

The alarming truth about higher education’s reading crisis.

The journey of learning begins with a single book, but the challenge lies in embracing the depth that each one offers. Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash

La crème de la crème aptly describes Ivy League schools, institutions where the brightest minds gather to showcase their talents. Yet, today’s Ivy League students lack a cornerstone of academia: the ability to read. Professors at top schools like Columbia, Georgetown, and Stanford report that many students:

• Are overwhelmed by reading full books.
• Struggle to focus even on shorter texts.
• Have difficulty analyzing complex material.
• Lack the background to grasp certain arguments.

At first glance, it’s easy to blame “lazy youth,” but this issue runs deeper. Gone are the days when reading entire books was standard practice. Today, soundbites and snippets dominate, reshaping how students engage with information. We’re products of our time, and the digital age has altered our habits in ways we’re only beginning to understand.

When I was in school, long texts were essential. But with the rise of Google’s instant answers, Twitter’s character limits, and Vine’s six-second loops, our attention spans adapted. In a world obsessed with speed, immersive reading has become almost an anomaly. And this outcome is evident…