On June 5th, TalTech hosted an evening discussion organized by the Student Fund titled “The Stock Exchange Was Made for Dancing”, where the conversation centered on how to start investing, keep a cool head during market volatility, and avoid common mistakes. On stage were SEB private banking strategist Sander Danil, and well-known financial literacy advocates Kristi Saare and Rahatreener. The discussion was moderated by Henrik Urbanik.
At the heart of the evening was the question: how to make conscious and calm investment decisions, even when markets are volatile and information overload creates confusion? The insights of experienced investors helped dispel common myths and highlighted practical approaches that any beginner investor can immediately apply.
Investing is not a mystery
One of the key messages of the evening was that investing is not the exclusive domain of analysts – it is a skill that anyone can learn. Kristi Saare debunked the myth of technical analysis, saying:
“Technical analysis is astrology for men.”
Instead, the recommendation was to focus on simple questions:
- Do I understand what this company does?
- Will this company still exist in 5-10 years?
Sander Danil shared a similar mindset, emphasising:
“Invest in what you actually understand.”
The idea also resonated that the greatest skill is not the ability to perform complex calculations, but the ability to stay calm and maintain discipline – even when the chart shows red.
How not to panic?
When stocks fall, panic can set in quickly. Kristi Saare shared a simple tip:
“Go for a walk outside and look at the trees.”
It sounds funny, but the point is serious – if your investment decisions are driven by emotions, the results will be volatile too. It was also noted that investing is a long-term journey. Rahatreener pointed out that looking at today’s three-percent drop on the growth curve of the past 20 years, it doesn’t seem significant at all – a long-term investor does not let such fluctuations shake them.
Women as investors – a quiet but powerful force
The discussion also touched on why the number of female investors remains small. At the same time, Kristi pointed out that women are often better risk assessors and their portfolios tend to be more stable.
“Once you start investing, things are already going well.”
This encouragement is especially important for young women who feel that this field is not for them.
Student Fund vs Investor Toomas – a friendly competition
One of the most anticipated moments of the evening was the comparison of the Student Fund’s and Investor Toomas’s portfolio returns since the Student Fund discussion evening held in October last year. Although the market was not kind to either, the results were as follows:
Investor Toomas: +1,127%
Student Fund: –9.59%
Investor Toomas’s representative Juhan Lang stressed that no short-term loss should change your strategy:
“The important thing is to stay true to your principles and learn from every market situation.”
For us at the Student Fund, such comparisons are more than numbers – they are learning tools. They help analyse where to go next and how to refine strategies. Every dip is an opportunity to learn something new.
Summary of key takeaways
The discussion evening was a reminder that investing is not just Excel spreadsheets and technical analyses. It is conscious decision-making, continuous learning and the ability to see the bigger picture.
As a student, you don’t need a large starting capital to begin. But you need curiosity, consistency and a willingness to make mistakes. And if you have like-minded people to learn with, the journey becomes much easier.
Our mission at the Student Fund
Student Fund is a student-founded investment organisation at TalTech, operating since 2023. Our goal is to increase financial literacy among young people through real practices: analyses, investment decisions and discussions. We believe that the best way to learn is by doing – and that is exactly why events like “The Stock Exchange Was Made for Dancing” take place.
Event photos
