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 6 of my winter term. As I am reflecting on this week, I want to acknowledge a close friendship that I have cultivated with Leigha '25. She and I met during the beginning of our fall term, in the Native and Indigenous Pre-Orientation program. This program serves to aid incoming Native and Indigenous students with the transition into the College by offering support, resources, and advising. This program helped me tremendously by easing my transition into the College by giving me the tools to create a foundation for myself. In addition, Leigha and I explored the river and went up mountains. Essentially, we went into the unknown, together.
Leigha and Soup
Now, fast forward, this winter term we are in the same First-Year Seminar course called "Gender and Urban Transformation." We got to talk a lot more about our lives and have formed a support system. Now, we explore these mountains with more certainty. Leigha is honestly such a kind, funny, and authentic person. In addition, Leigha and I go on weekly Friday night adventures around campus on our Razor scooters. We travel from Wheeler Hall to the Choates to Leede Arena, honestly, we are all over the place. We visit our other friends and indulge in animal crackers that we bring with us in small brown cups.
The reason why I am writing about my close relationship with Leigha is because I want prospective students to know that there are people that will support you, accept you, and will always be here for you. I consider myself very lucky to have met Leigha. I hope that by writing about this dimension of my Dartmouth experience, I can show prospective students that your Dartmouth experience can be anything and everything. Welcome to the woods!
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!
Witnessing an eclipse was one of the most exciting days in my life to date, and a solid reminder of our place in this universe. Read on to hear about it!
Coming back from Spring break usually means coming back to an entirely different campus than the one you left in the Winter – but that was not the case this year! Read on to hear more...
