diff --git a/.github/pull_request_template.md b/.github/pull_request_template.md
index ec522a4c91..21ec0d5fa4 100644
--- a/.github/pull_request_template.md
+++ b/.github/pull_request_template.md
@@ -23,8 +23,8 @@ Please describe the tests that you ran to verify your changes. Provide instructi
 
 - [ ] I have performed a self-review of my own code
 - [ ] I have commented my code, particularly in hard-to-understand areas
-- [ ] I have made corresponding changes to the documentation
 - [ ] My changes generate no new warnings
-- [ ] I have added tests that prove my fix is effective or that my feature works
-- [ ] New and existing unit tests pass locally with my changes
 - [ ] I ran `dev/reformat`(backend) and `cd web && npx lint-staged`(frontend) to appease the lint gods
+- [ ] `optional` I have made corresponding changes to the documentation 
+- [ ] `optional` I have added tests that prove my fix is effective or that my feature works
+- [ ] `optional` New and existing unit tests pass locally with my changes