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 as I enter week 9 of my spring term. The weather is so sunny, refreshing, and awesome (it reminds me a lot of the weather in California). I am dedicating this post as a reflection on my week 8. This week was filled with many assignments, news, and most importantly memories.
I love all of my classes, they are difficult, but I am learning a ton! I am currently drafting my final papers and preparing for my economics final. My favorite class thus far has to be Sociology 1: Introductory Sociology. I love my group leader, Raegan '24; she is so kind and makes the material very lovely and digestible. The material is fascinating and has enhanced my sociological imagination immensely. For example, last week's readings focused on addressing racial inequities in the United States, and analyzed the stress process model as a way to conceptualize the reasoning behind why humans experience stress differently (due to stress mediators, race/ethnicity, social institutions, etc).
In addition, I have updates on my Foundations in Social Impact project! Our group is finalizing our final presentation and we are currently drafting our final board report. The final presentation is next Thursday, and I am so excited to show the stakeholders all of our research and conclusion to possible solutions for the housing crises in the Upper Valley. Moreover, today I learned that I got accepted into the Design Your Own Internship Program with the Center for Social Impact! I am so grateful for the opportunity to get support and guidance from DCSI as I embark on my summer internship with Breakthrough Collaborative. I hope that prospective students and admitted students note the resources and opportunities at Dartmouth in regard to receiving support to embark on independent projects.
Finally, I wanted to highlight another core memory that occurred this week, which was my adventure at Lou's. I wrote about the restaurant a couple of blog posts ago and I am currently obsessed with their french toast. I went with my friend, Naiset '25, and our conversation literally made my week—I am so lucky to have her in my life! I will update you all next week as I finish up my last week of the term and head back to California! :)
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.
On Monday, April 8, 2024, a phenomenal total solar eclipse occurred — and we happened to be within the path of totality. As a result, Dartmouth hosted a variety of eclipse-related events on- and off-campus. Find out how I spent the eclipse!
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.
