Balancing Life, Leading WIB, & Loving Senior Year

Balancing Life, Leading WIB, & Loving Senior Year

by Ainsley, Co-President of Women in Business 2025–2026

Hi! I’m Ainsley, and I’m the co-president of WiB for the 2025–2026 school year. This blog is a reflection of what it’s like to juggle leadership, academics, personal growth, and friendship, all while trying to soak up every moment of senior year. If you’re in WiB, chances are you’re ambitious, involved, and constantly balancing a million things. I see you. I am you. But here’s the truth: balance isn’t about perfection. It’s about prioritizing what matters most to you and giving yourself grace when things get messy.

The Juggling Act

Let’s start with a list. Because when life feels overwhelming, I make lists. Here’s mine:

WIB:

  • Leading a 30-person executive board

  • Overseeing events

  • Organizing meetings

  • Constantly planning (it’s a full-time job, but I love it so much)

Classes:

  • My honors thesis

  • Interactive leadership class

  • Classes for my major and for the business analytics certification

Clubs:

  • AHLA

  • HTM Ambassador

  • Habitat for Humanity

  • Scrapbook Club

Running:

  • Training for a half marathon (less than two weeks away!)

Senior Year:

  • Making memories

  • Spending quality time with friends

  • Trying to enjoy the ride

Mental Health!!

I want to be honest: I struggle with anxiety and depression. I’ve been in therapy since I was 10, and I take medication. Some days I feel like I’m thriving, and other days I cancel plans, stay in bed, and bite my nails. It’s real. It’s human.

When I start to lose myself, I make a habit tracker. I check off things like:

  • Taking my meds

  • Journaling

  • Reading-

  • Eating 3 meals a day

  • Getting out of bed before going on my phone

It helps me stay accountable and reminds me that small wins matter.

Tips & Tricks

Here are some things that help me stay grounded while still enjoying senior year:

  • Make the mundane fun with friends!

    • Go grocery shopping with friends, meal prep with friends, do laundry with friends

    • Parallel play: Study or work in silence with friends. Take breaks to chat, then get back to it

    • Make priorities social: I do my weekly long run with my friends, grab lunch with friends you don’t get to see often.

  • Spend time WITH YOURSELF

    • Take yourself on dates: walk around Target, make yourself dinner, binge your favorite show

    • Dive into a book and enter a different world

    • Take space to regroup and recharge

  • Work both sides of your brain!

    • Creative Outlets: Scrapbook Club is my no-pressure zone

    • Reading for Fun: It’s a reset button

    • Community Service: Habitat for Humanity gets me out of my head and into the world

  • Fuel your body and soul

    • Water, water, water

    • 3 meals a day!

    • Don’t feel guilty for saying no

    • Don’t get FOMO!!! Your life is your own

  • Work smarter, not harder

    • I work best in the morning, so I dedicate time then to get ahead

    • Use your email inbox as a to-do list

    • Google Calendar is your best friend

    • Talk-to-text essays? Game changer.

    • Reward yourself: ice cream, coffee, concerts, wine nights. Celebrate the little wins (:

Final Thoughts

Senior year is a whirlwind. There’s pressure to make every moment count, but sometimes the most meaningful memories come from the mundane. Grocery shopping with friends. Studying side by side. Cooking together. These are the moments I’ll remember decades from now.

So take stock of your life. Make a list. Prioritize what fills your cup. Say no when you need to. Say yes when it feels right. And most importantly, be kind to yourself.

You’re doing great, even when it doesn’t feel like it.With love,

Ainsley

Co-President, Women in Business 2025–2026