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 reflection as I enter week 7 of my freshman spring term. The weather is really sunny and clear; it reminds me a lot of home. Currently, there are yellow dandelions growing up in front of the entrance of Wheeler Hall. They make me reminisce about my own childhood, where I would collect them with my sister and we would make "dandelion cake." However, now, everything has changed, as I am navigating my college experience and continuing on a new journey in my life.
This past week, I had a self-realization that I am almost done with my first year at Dartmouth College. It feels like time went by so fast. I am currently planning my courses for fall 2022, preparing for midterms, writing papers, and progressing with my projects. This term I am putting myself first and am exploring life at the College independently. By the way, this might be off-topic, but this past Thursday, I went to Lou's Restaurant and Bakery for the first time and their food was amazing!!! I got their cruller french toast; it literally was so fluffy!
Now, I am transitioning back to my Dartmouth reflection. I am so grateful for my Dartmouth experience thus far and am going to hold the memories that I made during my first year close to my heart. My professors and mentors have inspired me and helped me further develop my love for learning, my friends have always made me laugh, and I have grown so much.
Now, I am excited to go back home for the summertime and serve as a teaching fellow for Breakthrough Collaborative and catch up with my family. I miss my home a lot and am so excited to collect the grown-up yellow dandelions with my sister and make some dandelion cake.
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.
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.
