I don't know if you are living near a school/university. I would go to their library or find a study group if I could there, do as Payne suggests.

If I had no such resources, I would make myself a plan, down to the details/timing and focus on that such that outside/future problems did not intrude as much. I am starting a year-long diploma program in September too and am hyper-focused on that and getting my hardware/software ready, ordering books, starting a reading program, etc. I'm building up as much excitement as I can for what I will be studying and the material I will be working with and the structure I am building to support myself.