I think it depends on what is distracting you. Is it because you have a functional social life, good friends or like to spend time with your girlfriend? Or have other positive ways to spend your time competing for you attention? If so I wouldn't sweat it too much. You're like 99% of the rest of us who don't have super human powers of concentration and discipline, and this counts double in your early 20s. Speaking personally, the times when I feel like I "levelled up" in terms of personal, professional or technical skills are when there have been powerful outside forces motivating me ... for example, starting a new job where you want to do well, in over you head on a project using an unfamiliar language or don't want to let a friend or respected colleague down. You sound like a conscientious student who's interested in your subject; I'd say simply enjoy life, enjoy your friends, enjoy your mental life and don't beat yourself up about it - like you say there's a lot of information out there in our field, it'll come in time and you'll find your niche. If on the other hand you feel like negative patterns of behaviour are making you sad and stopping you motivate yourself academically then it could be time to take a look at things - but that doesn't sound like the case to me though :-)
I agree with this advice. I just got out of b-school and my background is in computer information systems, but I am attempting to learn a lot more of the nitty-gritty aspects of computer science I was not exposed to in my university education. This includes topics like algorithms, data structures, operating systems and compilers. I do not know where to start and I've been using Hacker News to follow the tech scene as much as possible. Unfortunately I still feel that I am missing out because I chose business over engineering (which I continue to regret).
I'm just 1.5 years away from being 30 so I realize that I have quite a long time left in my software development career to catch-up to all you CS people. I don't think I've been undirected (the opposite of conscientiousness) but I've been misdirected and distracted. I've studied other things including web design and music production. I've also enjoyed life a lot (and slacked off by watching too much Adult Swim and Comedy Central, as well!).
It's hard being productive and studious all the time. While some people work 80 hour weeks continuously, most people don't out of need for sleep, exercise and relaxation. There is certainly an ebb-and-flow to this so I am embracing the idea that it will take me many more years of continuous growth and effort to get where I want to be. I also know that I need to eliminate as many distractions as possible, including turning off the TV and avoiding going out to concerts, clubs and bars. I have picked up some meditation techniques as well (including spending 10 minutes a day, at least once a day, focusing on deep breathing in order to unwind my frontal cortex). Sacrifice sucks but it is necessary to become the person you want to be!
