Define what you want to do. Then start working on that. Embrace a top-down approach. Learn only on a need-to-know basis. When you need to know something for the app or the paper, learn that. Don't touch anything else. Make a list of stuff that you find interesting.
Always keep the completion of the project in your mind, and nothing else.
Project-based learning/research works the best.
Also allocate some hours per week for goal-free learning. Read/do whatever you want. But, keep it limited.