Curiosity in Context

Exploring

Choosing a research project, or even a major, can feel as overwhelming as “What do you want to be when you grow up?” It might even feel like defining the purpose of your existence. Unfortunately, we don’t have the answer to the meaning of life, but we encourage you to stay curious about your experiences and the next steps forward—and understand that you’re developing skills for the journey (even on days when you feel lost).

Rethinking Purpose

You might have a clear sense of purpose, or direction, and see the path ahead—even if it looks like an intimidating climb. If the way forward is less clear, it could be helpful to reframe how you think about “your purpose.”

 

Thinking about purpose as more of a process can re-center you in your thinking and highlights all that your context, abilities and confidence have enabled you to become and contribute—to this point and into the future. Consider where your curiosity is pointing you and where you can draw the confidence to explore (and expand) your context.

You are more than your academic interests, abilities and GPA. You have strengths and experiences that give you unique insight and the ability to contribute.

The Scrolling Dilemma

We encourage you to take notice of the patterns of your experience—and explore what inspires your creativity and engages your curiosity.

Choosing an experiential opportunity, such as a research project, can feel as overwhelming as choosing what to watch on your favorite streaming service—with more at stake than a boring show. Like the endless titles to stream, many of the paths ahead are unknown and will require some exploration to discover.

You might not find your fit at the end of a night of binge scrolling, but the process can work like the AI suggesting titles on your favorite platform—informed by the patterns of your engagement. Your curiosity can guide you toward experiences that bring you into contact with new people, ideas, goals and more. 

 

Reflect and consider what intersections appear.

Curiosity

  • What curiosities do you have about your academic and creative interests?

  • What excites you about your field of study, major or developing interest?

Context

  • How do your academic interests connect with your professional goals?

  • What change do you want to see in communities you care about?

Confidence

  • What strengths do you already have?

  • What experiences give unique insight?

 

You might not feel confident about where you want to go and how you want to grow. As you follow your curiosity, keep in mind that it’s a path-finding tool. You can use it like a compass to find your way forward, though you might not know the destination (and we all wish we had a map).

 

 

Summer 2025

Open Opportunities

Explore funded, open opportunities mentored by CU Boulder faculty!

 

 

Academic Year 2025-26

The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) represents an opportunity to enable student-centered education that makes the most of CU Boulder’s global leadership in research and creative production. With well-documented benefits from persistence to postgraduate success, engagement in the research and creative life of the university can clarify career paths and prepare students for the future of work. Donations support empowering opportunities in all fields of study. Give Now.