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 after completing week 4 of the fall term. This week was awesome. I made a ton of memories with my friends. We went on a trail and explored the Hanover forests. Essentially, this blog post will serve as my reflection for the week. I hope by going in-depth about my Dartmouth experience I can provide prospective students a taste of the possibilities that are present throughout one's own Dartmouth experience.
I want to emphasize the possibilities of academic exploration. At Dartmouth, you have the opportunity to utilize your first year at the College to explore your passions and interests. You will have to declare your major after your fifth term aka Sophomore winter. During my first year at the College, I explored different departments from the Sociology to the Middle Eastern Departments. I learned a ton and am very lucky to have had the opportunity to take courses that allowed me to still stay on track for my double major and minor. I really enjoy Dartmouth's flexibility in course exploration and the support available from the Undergraduate Deans to Pre-Faculty Advisors to peers.
Now, after spending a year at the College, I wanted to emphasize the possibility of opportunities on campus! I took advantage of the many offices and programs offered at Dartmouth from the Center for Social Impact to the Office of Pluralism and Leadership (OPAL). My biggest piece of advice is to find something that you are genuinely passionate about instead of doing a ton of activities that might take a lot of time and don't align with your future aspirations.
Altogether, I hope that this blog post provided you with some insight into the possibilities at Dartmouth and the many opportunities for exploration and development! I am so excited to update you all on my Dartmouth experience next week!
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.
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.
