When I was a much younger professional I was like a sponge and read a callosal amount and retained it even for technologies I wasn't using. I moved on to do my MSc as a distance learning course (via the UK's fabulous Open University, not some PDF generating scam thank you very much ;-)) with its deadlines for modules but freedom on when to do each module.

Nowadays I cannot keep as much information in without a reasonable amount of practice so I am more driven my work requirements. I still read around IT attempting to keep abreast of the industry in general and certain technologies (hence why I am here, for example). I tend to use books less and online facilities more.