Beginning an EE can feel overwhelming. Most students start with only a vague sense of what they like. This is completely normal. Step 1 helps you move from uncertainty to a clear starting point. our aim at this stage is not to choose research question. Your aim is to simply choose a subject and a broad area that genuinely interests you.
Choose a subject you enjoy: Your strongest research will come from a subject you feel confident in. Think about the lessons you look forward to, the topics you find engaging or the kinds of questions you naturally ask in class. Ask yourself:
Which subject do I enjoy learning about?
Which subject gives me the best tools to explore ideas?
Which subject will allow me to read, analyze or investigate comfortably.
Identify a broad area of interest: Within your chosen subject, note any areas that spark your curiosity. For example:
In Biology, you might be interested in enzymes, ecology, genetics, or plant physiology.
In Lang/Lit, you ight be drawn to narrative voice, identity, or symbolism
In History, you might be intrigued by revolutions, diplomacy, ideology, or conflict
Explore your ideas through light reading and researching: Before you decide on anything, take twenty to thirty minutes to read/research lightly around your chosen area. You are not doing deep research. You are simply tring to understand what is already known and what people discuss. Look for:
Key ideas
Debates or Tensions
Recurring Issues
Surprising Facts
Concepts you want to understand better.
Suitable places to start initial research:
Introductory textbooks
Reputable news outlets
Academic abstracts on Google Scholar
Podcasts or videos from reliable organizations
Subject websites
Notice what captures your attention or what feels interesting. This early curiosity often becomes the heart of a strong research question later. Ask yourself:
What do I want to understand more deeply?
What seems confusing or unresolved?
What do people disagree about?
What patterns or changes stand out?
Write down your early ideas: Finally, record your initial thinking. It does not need to be poished. A few simple notes are enough. For example, "I am interested in climate resilience because different countries respond in different ways.