Self-assess your time
If your plans are realistic, you are more likely to achieve them, helping you to feel confident and motivated in your abilities and learning.
Knowing what needs to be done, when it needs to be done by and how long it will actually take you will help you make more useful plans. 
Record what you actually do
Make some form of record of what you actually do to find out where your time is going.  You can use a spreadsheet or a week planner to note what you did compared to what you planned to do
Good intentions can go astray
For example, you might plan was to spend the morning reading for an essay over a period of four hours.  However, instead of reading solidly for 240 minutes it is easy to lose time across the morning to browsing social media posts, checking emails, having a coffee break, making a phone call and chatting to flatmates.  All of this adds up.  Across four hours you might find almost half of the time available was lost to unplanned breaks of different kinds.  
Making changes
•	Think about when and where you work best.
•	Reduce distractions – be unavailable (in person, on social media, by email, by phone).
•	Be specific – set manageable goals and break your studying up into smaller tasks. 
•	Structure - start on time and use a timer.  Plan short 5-minute breaks between tasks.
Be honest and realistic
Often we over estimate how much can be done.  New and/or difficult topics need extra time to understand them.  It is difficult to concentrate hard for long periods of time.  Think about how you can break up and vary what you do.
Also, to be able to work well it is essential you plan time to relax.  Plan some time with family and friends.   Plan to do something you enjoy, like a sport or hobby.  Time off will help you study more effectively.
•	Look forward to and earn a longer break.
www.ed.ac.uk/iad