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!
During spring break, I went back to California and reconnected with my family and an old friend from high school. I missed my family a lot (I was in California for two weeks), but now I feel recharged and ready to embark on a new term at Dartmouth. Now, I am back on campus and am taking three classes and juggling my time with my commitments. I will definitely write about my classes in detail in my next blog post! On another note, I am currently serving as the co-chair for the Caribbean Carnival led by the Office of Pluralism and Leadership (OPAL) and am working with a peer to present a speaker for the April 29th Race, Migration, and Sexuality (RMS) Symposium.
As I am reflecting on the first week of my spring term, I want to acknowledge the experiences that I have lived so far. I am still adjusting from the first week, but I am making sure of staying on top of everything. I was jet-lagged for the first couple of days of the term, but I am adjusting back to my normal schedule. This past Friday, I spent a lot of time reconnecting with my friends, and we even made Mickey Mouse pancakes in the Wheeler Basement. I will make sure to add a picture of our creations under this sentence!
Mini Mickey Mouse Pancakes!
Anyways, this week was very busy, and I am very excited to continue on with my spring term. I hope that prospective Dartmouth 26's note the abundance of opportunities and resources here at Dartmouth. You are in control of anything and everything. I hope that by telling a bit about my Dartmouth experience, I can showcase a glimpse of the many things that you can do at Dartmouth. I will update you all about any life updates next week! Ok bye! :)
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.
