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 7 of my winter term. I want to reflect on this week and discuss the experiences that I have lived. This week was a lot—I had a ton of assignments and commitments to complete from completing problem sets to drafting visual analysis papers.
Most importantly, I learned so much this week and have grown a lot. To future 26's, don't be afraid to take risks academically or socially. Always be yourself and follow your passions. For me, I find a lot of joy from working in the Center for Social Impact and being a part of Foundations, a rigorous program for Dartmouth first-year students (I will definitely write more about this program in the spring term when we embark on our consulting project). In addition, I am in the process of conducting research for Indigenous migrant language rights. This commitment is absolutely worth it and has helped me in my research skills.
As I am reflecting, my fall term prepared me well for the winter term by helping me follow a precise daily schedule on the assignments that I need to complete. I am doing a lot of stuff because they are meaningful, and I am extremely passionate about the activities that I undergo. I hope prospective students know that there are plenty of resources and opportunities available for them when they arrive on campus. Make sure to seek out these resources and to always advocate for yourself. I am really excited to end my winter term and go back to California to visit my family; I miss my little sister a lot. Recently, campus has been really chilly, but maybe it's because I sometimes only wear a pullover and forget my mittens. However, I am still obsessed with Novack hot chocolate, it's my daily reward. Anyways, thank you for reading my reflection, and I am happy to complete my first winter term!
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.
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.
