Why are you writing about things to do before class? Well, as a master’s student, most of my classes are in the evening. In fact, I am starting a two-week intensive where I’ll be in class from 17:15–20:15 every weekday. It is easy to wonder how you can fill your morning and afternoon.
What this blogpost/article is about is intentionality. You can intentionally sleep until 11:00 most days, roll out of bed, finish homework, and scroll on TikTok until your class starts, or you can intentionally do something interesting that engages the community in Tallinn and at TalTech and enables you to be a Renaissance person. What is intentionality? According to Webster’s dictionary, intentionality is something “done by design.” Design has two elements: creativity and planning. Therefore, when we are planning our mornings and afternoons in Tallinn, we need to stretch our creative muscles and make plans to explore, to taste something delicious, to dance, to inhale and exhale, and to do many more amazing things.
Study at a café
While getting my bachelor’s, I discovered I love coffee. Tallinn is a coffee town with many amazing coffee shops in Old Town and near TalTech. Sipping a hot coffee and reading articles is one of my favorite things, but being able to sip a delicious coffee in Old Town and studying is magical. While there are many coffee shops to explore and discover, here are three of my recommendations:
Paper Mill Coffee: They have several locations in Tallinn, and they have award-winning coffee and a great selection of sweet treats. If you are interested in practicing your Estonian language, I have found that the baristas are eager to practice with you and provide you with an opportunity to learn how to order coffee in Estonian.
Akadeemia Kohv: This cafe is located across the street from TalTech’s campus. They have a large space, tasty coffee, and lunch and breakfast offerings. On the weekends, they also host interesting and fun events, from stand-up comedy to live music.
Mitch, Matcha, & More: They do offer coffee here, but they are known for their delicious matcha tea. I recently tried this cafe to study for class, and the environment is so warm and welcoming — perfect for completing homework. A bonus is that the staff is friendly, the matcha is great, and it is tucked away in Old Town.
Go for a walk
The commonly recommended daily step goal is 10,000 steps. How long do you need to walk to get to 10,000 steps? I’ve wondered this, and I have the answer: 90 minutes of continuous walking. Tallinn has been one of my favorite walking locations. Walking allows us to discover new things, breathe in fresh air, and is great for our bodies. I love going for walks or runs by the sea, wandering around the Old Town to discover new places, and walking in the forests near TalTech’s campus. While you’re out walking, I recommend listening to a podcast or an audiobook, calling an old friend for a chat, inviting a friend to go on a walk with you, or you could take in the ambiance.
Attend a free afternoon lecture or seminar
At TalTech, there are several free events, lectures, and seminars throughout the week that are in the afternoons. These events are organized by student organizations or faculties. Most of the programs provide great networking opportunities. I recommend attending events that are outside of your field of study for new insights.
Go to the gym at TalTech
The gym facilities at TalTech are free to students who decide to participate in the Basics of Physical Fitness course, and the course itself provides incentives to go to the gym and attend basketball and volleyball games. As part of the course, there are several options available for group fitness, from yoga and Body Pump to pick-up basketball and ping-pong. But, if you prefer doing something alone, they have a traditional weight room with cardio machines like treadmills and stationary bikes. If you do attend one of the classes, it is once again a great opportunity to practice Estonian, as many of the fitness classes are taught in Estonian.
Create a study group and reserve a room at the library
The TalTech library is a great space. It is beautifully designed, and it has a lot of space to study. From private study rooms to large desks in open areas, you have a lot of quiet areas that promote focus and academic excellence. The librarians are also friendly and eager to help you navigate the resources available at the library. One of the resources is a group study room. You can meet with classmates and discuss homework, make plans for the weekend, or get together to work on a project.
There are many more things to do around Tallinn and at TalTech’s campus, but these are just a few recommendations for navigating the time before evening classes. As a student, creating a plan or intentionally finding time to recharge through other activities is empowering.
The article was first published in TalTech blog.