Why prioritization is indispensable as a healthcare student
As students, especially in the healthcare field, you know what it’s like to be faced with an overwhelming amount of study materials. Everything seems urgent, the next exam is already coming up, and you haven’t even started to fully dive in, and the day only has so many hours.
The harsh truth is: Sometimes, you just cannot do everything. It’s simply not feasible to tackle everything with equal intensity. In these moments, prioritization becomes not just a benefit but a necessity.
Classifying tasks into ones that require immediate attention and ones that can be postponed or even handed over to someone else is the only way through, but these decisions are not always straightforward.
A structured framework like the Eisenhower matrix can be a lifesaver!
What is the Eisenhower matrix?
Definition and origin
The Eisenhower Matrix, also known as the “urgent-important matrix”, is a tool for organizing your tasks based on two questions:
- How important is it?
- How urgent is it?
The technique is named after Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States, who was known for his incredible ability to sustain high productivity.
The matrix helps distinguish between tasks that require immediate attention and those that can be planned for later.
How it works
The matrix is divided into four quadrants, each representing a combination of the measures of urgency and importance:
- Quadrant 1: urgent and important (do first)
- Quadrant 2: important but not urgent (schedule)
- Quadrant 3: urgent but not important (delegate)
- Quadrant 4: neither urgent nor important (eliminate)
This simple categorization allows you to visually sort your tasks and make strategic decisions about where to focus your time and energy.
Free Download: Blank Eisenhower matrix template (PDF)
Free Download: Eisenhower matrix
Download the PDF and systematically set your study priorities.
How to prioritize what to study with the Eisenhower matrix
#1 Take stock of your tasks
Even if it is a lot, you need an overview first. List out everything you need to do, from studying for upcoming exams to completing assignments and attending training sessions.
#2 Assign each task to a quadrant (+ examples)
Tasks like studying for an important exam happening tomorrow or preparing a presentation for your clinical rounds should go into the upper left quadrant: They are important, and urgent.
Long-term study goals like mastering a complex topic that will benefit your future career but doesn’t have an immediate deadline can go into the top right quadrant: It is important, but not urgent, so can be scheduled to a later date.
The bottom left quadrant is for tasks like, for example, sending Emails to professors about non-urgent matters or organizing a study group session. Maybe a friend has more time to ask the professor a question you both have, or someone in a study group can take over the organization while they don’t have the same exam coming up.
Browsing endlessly through extra material that isn’t likely to be on the exam or attending optional meetings that don’t enhance your learning are examples of tasks you would put in the “eliminate” quadrant at the bottom right of the matrix. Skipping them does not negatively impact your goals, so use your time for other things.
#3 Distribute your time and attention following the matrix
Focus your immediate energy on quadrant 1 tasks, plan your schedule to include ample time for quadrant 2 activities, delegate or minimize the time spent on quadrant 3, and eliminate quadrant 4 distractions altogether.
Final thoughts
If you want to try the Eisenhower matrix, all you need is our PDF template – or a piece of paper mapping out the quadrants. If you notice it works well for you, you can build your own Excel or Word template, or use the Eisenhower matrix with various organizational tools like Notion, Asana, or Todoist that each offer their own templates to use within the tool.
By using the Eisenhower Matrix, you can systematically assess and categorize your study tasks, making it easier to manage the heavy workload that comes with medical and nursing school. This not only maximizes productivity but also helps maintain mental well-being by reducing stress and burnout.
