Tune Your Brain: How Music Shapes Your Study Style
#music
# playlist
# study style
# tasks
責任編輯 洪瑪嬿
“Why do you always study with music on?” It’s a question you’ve probably heard before—maybe from a parent, a teacher, or even a friend. For many students, music isn’t just background noise; it’s a tool. A way to focus. A way to feel calm. A way to stay motivated when the hours stretch long and the textbooks feel heavier than ever.
But is there any science behind it? Can music really help you study better? A recent study published in Acta Psychologica says yes—if you use it the right way.
The Science of Study Playlists
Imagine this: You’re sitting at your desk, trying to memorize a list of vocabulary words. In the background, a soft lo-fi beat plays. The rhythm is steady, the melody simple. You feel calm, focused. The words seem to stick in your mind a little better.
Now, picture a different scene. You’re working on a repetitive math problem set. This time, you’ve got an upbeat pop song playing. The tempo matches your energy, keeping you motivated as you solve equation after equation.
According to the study, this isn’t just a coincidence. Music can influence how well you focus, depending on the type of task you’re doing. For example:
• Reading or memorizing - Stick to instrumental tracks or familiar songs without lyrics. They’re less likely to distract your brain.
• Repetitive tasks - Upbeat music can keep your energy levels high.
• Creative projects - Ambient or classical music can help you get into a flow state.
The key is to match your music to your task—and to know yourself. Some people thrive with music, while others need silence to concentrate. The trick is to experiment and find what works for you.
Why Familiarity Matters
Have you ever tried studying to a brand-new song, only to find yourself focusing more on the lyrics than your work? That’s because unfamiliar music demands more attention from your brain. On the other hand, songs you know well—your favorite playlist, for example—are less distracting. Your brain already knows what to expect, so it can focus on the task at hand.
This is why many students turn to their “comfort tracks” during stressful study sessions. Familiar music doesn’t just help you focus—it can also reduce anxiety and make studying feel a little less overwhelming.
Find Your Frequency
So, how can you use music to your advantage? Start by thinking about the type of task you’re working on. Are you reading? Writing? Solving problems? Then, experiment with different genres to see what helps you focus best. Here’s a quick guide to get you started:
Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Your study playlist is as unique as you are. The important thing is to listen to your brain—and let it guide you to the right rhythm.
Final Thoughts: Your Playlist, Your Power
Studying is personal. So is music. Whether you’re a fan of classical symphonies, lo-fi beats, or bouncy pop anthems, your playlist can be a powerful tool to help you focus, stay motivated, and even manage stress. So, the next time someone asks why you’re studying with music on, you’ll have the perfect answer: “Because it works for me.”
Vocabulary:
tune 調整
background 背景
playlist 播放清單 / 播放列表
lo-fi beat 低保真節拍
repetitive 重複的
coincidence 巧合
influence 影響
familiar 熟悉的
distract 分心
ambient 環境的 / 氛圍
thrive 蓬勃發展 / 繁榮
overwhelming超讚的 / 壓倒性的
frequency 頻率
advantage 優勢
boosts 提升
soothing 舒緩的
bouncy 彈跳的
Phrases:
get into a flow state 進入心流狀態
comfort tracks 放鬆音樂
one-size-fits-all 通用的
Questions:
1.What is the main idea of the article?
A) Only classical music is effective for improving focus.
B) Music is distracting and should not be used while studying.
C)Music can be a helpful tool for studying if used strategically.
D) Students should avoid listening to music while doing creative tasks.
correct answer: C
2.Why is familiar music less distracting than unfamiliar music?
A) It has a slower tempo.
B) It is always instrumental.
C) It helps you memorize better.
D) It requires less attention from the brain.
correct answer: D
3.Which type of music is recommended for repetitive tasks like solving math problems?
A) Lo-fi beats
B) Classical music
C) Ambient music
D) Upbeat pop or rap
correct answer: D
Source: Do you listen to music while studying? A portrait of how people use music to optimize their cognitive performance - ScienceDirect
中文翻譯如下：
調整你的大腦：音樂如何影響你的學習風格
「你為什麼總是喜歡放音樂學習？」 這問題你可能聽過—也許來自父母、老師，甚至是朋友。對許多學生來說，音樂不只是一種背景噪音；它是一種工具，一種讓你專注的方式，一種讓你感到平靜的方式，一種在漫長的學習時光中保持動力的方式，特別是當教科書變得沉重無比的時候。但這其中真的有科學根據嗎？音樂真的能幫助你學得更好嗎？
最近發表在Acta Psychologica《心理學報》的研究顯示那是肯定的—如果你用得當的話。
學習播放清單的科學 想像一下：你坐在書桌前，試著記住一系列詞彙。在背景中，柔和的低音節奏響起。節拍穩定，旋律簡單。你感到平靜，專注。那些單詞似乎更容易記住。現在，想像另一個場景。你正在解一組重複的數學問題。這次，你播放的是一首輕快的流行歌曲。這個節奏跟你的能量相符，讓你在解方程式的過程中保持動力。 根據研究，這可不是巧合。音樂能影響你的專注程度，這取決於你正在進行的任務類型。比如：
• 閱讀或背誦 - 選擇純樂器曲或沒有歌詞的熟悉歌曲。這樣不容易分散你的注意力。
• 重複性任務 - 快節奏的音樂可以保持你的能量水平。
• 創意項目 - 環境音樂或古典音樂可以幫你進入專注狀態。
關鍵在於讓音樂和任務相匹配，還要了解自己。有些人喜歡聽音樂，而有些人則需要安靜來專注。重點是多嘗試，找到適合你的方式。
為什麼熟悉感很重要你有沒有試過在學習時聽一首全新的歌曲，結果發現自己更專注於歌詞而不是工作？這是因為不熟悉的音樂需要你的大腦更多的注意力。另一方面，你熟悉的歌曲，比如你最愛的播放列表，則不會那麼容易分散你的注意力。你的大腦已經知道要期待什麼，因此可以專注於當前的任務。這就是為什麼很多學生在壓力大的學習時期會選擇他們的“舒適曲目”。熟悉的音樂不僅幫助你專注，還能減輕焦慮，讓學習感覺不那麼壓倒。
找出你的頻率 那麼，你怎樣才能利用音樂來獲益呢？首先思考一下你正在進行的任務類型。你在閱讀嗎？寫作嗎？解決問題嗎？然後，試著用不同的音樂類型看看哪種最能幫助你專注。這裡有一個簡單的指南幫你開始：
記住，沒有一種適合所有人的答案。你的學習播放列表跟你一樣獨特。重要的是聆聽你的腦子，讓它引導你找到合適的節奏。
最後的想法：你的播放列表，你的力量學習是個人化的，音樂也是。無論你是古典交響樂、低保真節拍，還是活潑流行金曲的粉絲，你的播放列表都可以是幫助你集中注意力、保持動力，甚至管理壓力的有力工具。所以，下次有人問你為什麼在學習時聽音樂，你就可以有完美的回答：「因為這對我有效。」