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 post at the end of Week 5 of my winter term. As I have reached the halfway mark of my first winter, I wanted to reflect on everything that I have lived and experienced.
An image of Rauner Library during the winter!
Firstly, the weather change is honestly so beautiful. Before I came back to campus from Winterim, I was a bit worried about the cold. However, as long as you have enough layers, you will be set! The snow that falls from the sky honestly makes me so happy and excited for every day. Hot chocolate from Novack has become a daily consumption of mine. There is so much to do from watching movies like "Encanto" at the Hopkins Center for the Arts to exploring Mexican prints in the Hood Museum!
A drawing of a moose in the basement of Wheeler Hall.
Secondly, I wanted to reflect on my development from the beginning of the term to now. I struggled a lot with my time commitments for the first two weeks because I contracted COVID-19. However, I am really grateful that I recovered and am healthy now. I am now caught up with my academic and personal commitments.
P.S. Here is an art piece I created!
I think what helped me recover was the mindset of not giving up on anything that I do. Being at a place like Dartmouth, I think it is important to always advocate for yourself. Always prioritize your mental health and well-being. You are capable and worthy of voicing your perspectives and opinions. Don't ever let anyone attempt to undermine you. I preserved through such a hard period of my term and am now succeeding in my academics and personal achievements. I hope that this post helps anyone out there that needs to remember that they are worthy and capable of everything and anything.
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.
This is my final term before senior year, which is both exciting and terrifying at the same time. One thing I am excited about is the classes I am taking this term, so let me tell you more!
This is part two of me "nerding out" about my honors thesis! If you want to learn more about independent projects, theses, or the humanities at Dartmouth, check it out!
