Hi all! Welcome to my very public blogging page! I am Toni Fabian '25, the middle child of my family, from a small town in sunny Southern California. I plan to study economics and human-centered design. I am passionate about culture, educational equity, and social justice. I will be writing about all things Dartmouth, from the infamous FOCO cookies to the resources and opportunities offered here on campus. I am truly so excited to bring you along with me while I navigate my college journey!
Academic Program
Intended majors: Economics and Sociology; Intended minor: Human-Centered Design
Each week I was responsible for completing problem sets, quizzes, classwork, and discussion boards. Every week we related what we learned in class to the real world. For example, we read about food banks and their past struggles with efficiency. As a class, we discussed solutions and delved deeper by asking questions and collaborating with each other. I loved this class a lot because Dr. Petre made learning really fun and is so kind! I learned a lot of information ranging from different elasticities of demand and supply to the indicators of poverty. This class was awesome!
For my FYS (First-Year Seminar), I took a history course called Gender and Urban Transformation (9L slot). Our class discussions drew from primary sources and historical analyses that dabbled on gender and its intersection with race, sexuality, and class in the development of U.S. suburbs and cities. Essentially, we explored urbanization and suburbanization as a multi-gendered process. I developed my research skills as I drafted an annotated bibliography, book review essay, and prospectus on the Chicano Movement's impact in the realm of higher education from the 1960s to the present in California, Texas, and Chicago. I learned a ton, I am so happy that I took Professor Rabig's course!
Sociology 1 is the introductory course for the Sociology major, and I loved this class so much! We had a ton of class discussions and the material was very insightful. We were assigned a term-long discussion group, and my group leader was so kind and knowledgeable. We analyzed and discussed the reasons behind class stratification, power dynamics, and social and economic inequalities in society. This class has truly helped me further develop my sociological imagination and changed my perspective in life. :)
For the entire summer, I interned for Breakthrough San Juan Capistrano (SJC). Breakthrough SJC is a non-profit organization situated in Southern California that aims to close the achievement gap for underrepresented and underserved students. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to have served as a teaching fellow this summer and for Dartmouth's support in preparing me for this amazing and unforgettable experience!
I am writing this post after Week 4 of the winter term. This post is about the time Shelby and I went to Panera Bread. For context, I met Shelby during First-Year Trips; she was one of the leaders for our small cohort. First-Year Trips occur at the beginning of the fall term to help new students adjust to the social aspects of Dartmouth and connect with peers with similar interests. Our group focused on Community Service, which lasted three days. I wrote about this unforgettable experience at the beginning of my blogging career, from the fall term.
Panera
Anyways, I really really like Panera Bread, like it honestly is so good. However, the issue is that I don't have a car (Panera is 15 minutes away from the College by car). So, I went to Shelby and asked her to bring me along with her for her next Panera run. The reason why I know she goes on weekly Panera runs is because we talked about Panera Bread for days, while we were together for First-Year Trips.
At the end of Week 4, she and I then coordinated a time and it happened! By the way, Shelby is a senior and loves the world of education. We bonded over our experiences with education, as she served as a Breakthrough Teaching Fellow too.
The reason why I am talking about our journey to Panera Bread is because it is an example of the types of friendships that I have cultivated since I came here. Your Dartmouth experience is what you make of it. Take advantage of everything that you want to do. If you want to get lost in thought-provoking conversations with your friend Shelby, absolutely go for it!
Panera Bread was really good, but now all I remember from that adventure was the time that we spent together and the happy and authentic memories that Shelby and I created. What I am trying to say is don't be afraid to meet new people and make sure that you don't forget that people are here for you, always!
I have written about being a student worker plenty of times in the past, but I have yet to talk about one of my favorite jobs ever: ticket selling at the Hopkins Center for the Arts.
Planning on visiting Dartmouth as a prospective student or an interested person wanting to see our beautiful campus? In this post, I share insider tips to ensure your visit is fulfilled!
Witnessing an eclipse was one of the most exciting days in my life to date, and a solid reminder of our place in this universe. Read on to hear about it!
