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 in the middle of August. I am currently on my off-term and in Southern California. I am closing up my summer internship and have learned a ton! I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to have developed so much, professionally and personally.
Now, I want to reflect on my progression throughout my first year at Dartmouth and the summer term. I want to dedicate this blog post to tips for time management, given I have undergone the rigors of college academia and an intensive summer internship. Specifically, I firmly believe that this topic is of value given the beginning of a new academic year at Dartmouth.
Firstly, I want to emphasize the importance of having a detailed daily calendar that roughly includes your assignments, tasks, and activities for the day. In addition, another helpful technique of productivity is focusing on "three big tasks" daily. For example, the night before, write down three tasks that need to be completed before the end of the upcoming day. By doing this, you are holding yourself accountable and putting your responsibilities in a digestible manner.
Furthermore, it is worth noting the importance of having a consistent sleep schedule throughout the week. Personally, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule has allowed me to be more productive throughout the week by being more knowledgeable about my tasks for the day. Also, waking up at the same time every morning aids a ton by putting you in a routine that allows for repetition and productivity.
Altogether, these are all some tips for time management that I wished someone told me before I embarked on my first year at the College! I hope that these tips are helpful, and I will see you all next week. Thank you a ton for reading!
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.
This is my final term before senior year, which is both exciting and terrifying at the same time. One thing I am excited about is the classes I am taking this term, so let me tell you more!
