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 as I enter the third week of my internship at Breakthrough SJC. I want to preface by saying how lucky I am to have been given the opportunity to work with such amazing students and teaching fellows. Dartmouth truly aided me tremendously in my preparation for this internship for the summer.
I have had some time to reflect on my first year at Dartmouth and I miss everything a ton. I miss the friends that I met over the months and the relationships that I have cultivated. I miss the professors that believed in me throughout the busy terms. I miss the close-knit environment that defines our Dartmouth community. After spending a couple of months off campus, all I can think about are the happy and genuine memories that I experienced at the College.
I am looking forward to the fall term and learning a ton more. I am still deciding on my major, but I know for certain that I will be supported no matter what pathway I end up choosing. I look forward to catching up with my professors, friends, and mentors. I am writing this blog post as a reflection on my Dartmouth experience and my excitement for the upcoming fall term.
If there are any prospective students or '26s reading this post, my biggest advice is to live in the moment and to take advantage of every opportunity and memory on campus. I have grown so much this past year and truly loved working with Breakthrough SJC thus far. I have learned so much, and am forever grateful for Dartmouth's support in preparing me with the resources for this moment. I feel prepared for this fall term and to continue to grow and learn academically, professionally, and personally. Thank you for reading my life updates and welcome to the woods, '26s!
Sophomore Summer has already defined itself by its exciting, unfamiliar experiences and the relaxed atmosphere of campus. With new classes and clubs in full swing, here is what I have been up to during this wonderful time on campus!
In the summer, prospective students might take the time to visit potential colleges and universities to apply to. But what are some things to look for as you peruse campuses and take in the view, especially during the summer? Here are some ideas!
My first-year at Dartmouth has been a period of profound growth and self-discovery. It has challenged me to push beyond my limits, embrace my strengths and weaknesses, and navigate the complex web of opportunities that define college life.
"What's your major?" seems like a pressing question for every freshman, but now that my freshman year is behind me, I know I shouldn't have worried as much.
