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 blog as I finish up Week 2 of the Winter term. A lot has happened since I came back on campus. Firstly, it is very cold on campus right now, but I love the change of weather. I have never experienced snow in my life because I am from Southern California, but it has been amazing getting to make memories with my friends. Whether that means throwing snowballs at each other or watching movies at the HOP (Hopkins Center for the Arts). There is even a humongous Christmas tree in the middle of The Green! The lights are so bright and the star on top is magnificent.
Christmas tree on The Green!
Last Saturday, I had a very persistent headache and a horrible stomach ache. Consequently, I chose to immediately isolate myself and attended all my classes virtually for the entirety of Week 2. I learned I tested positive for COVID-19. I emailed all my professors about the news and contacted all of my close contacts, and they were all kind and understanding. On my Day 5, I got a negative result from my antigen test.
As I am reflecting on my experience with COVID-19, I want to discuss my support system on campus. I remember my friend Ari and Melanie getting me food from the HOP or Novack Cafe because I was too sick to leave my dorm. My roommate checked up on me every time that he entered the dorm. My professors extended deadlines for my assignments. I prioritized my mental and physical health while I was in isolation. I am currently catching up with my assignments, and feel better. I am forever grateful for the people that are in my life at Dartmouth. When I first arrived on campus, I was afraid to be alone. However, I found my people and feel that my transition to Dartmouth has been amazing.
At Dartmouth, there is an undergraduate requirement for language; after all, it is the liberal arts! Fulfilling this requirement looks different for various people and I will focus on my experience.
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.
Traditionally, Dartmouth students take three courses during a term, but I decided to take four courses this term! Learn about course load and the academic system at Dartmouth.
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!
As I approach the halfway mark of my Dartmouth journey this spring, I find myself reflecting on the significance of distributive and world culture requirements in shaping my academic experience.
