Simply, it means to learn as much as you can.

hi, while Sonia's definitions of "soak up" are true, "soak up" can figuratively mean: 1. to enjoy something. " I just want to lie on the beach and soak up the sun." " What does he think of all the praise he's getting? He's soaking it up." 2. to learn and remember something easily and quickly. "Jill soaks up everything that's said in class." "Music came naturally to him, and when he heard something, he soaked it up and could play it." 3. to use all of something. "The price of heating oil will not rise until the cold weather soaks up the huge amount waiting to be sold." "There was a budget surplus, but the needs of the military will surely soak it up." :)

Verb 1. soak up - take in, also metaphorically; "The sponge absorbs water well"; "She drew strength from the minister's words". imbibe, sop up, suck up, absorb, suck, take up, take in, draw mop, mop up, wipe up - to wash or wipe with or as if with a mop; "Mop the hallway now"; "He mopped her forehead with a towel". blot - dry (ink) with blotting paper sponge up - absorb as if with a sponge; "sponge up the spilled milk on the counter". 2. soak up - devote (oneself) fully to; "He immersed himself into his studies". engross, engulf, steep, immerse, absorb, plunge immerse, plunge - cause to be immersed; "The professor plunged his students into the study of the Italian text". focus, pore, rivet, center, centre, concentrate - direct one's attention on something; "Please focus on your studies and not on your hobbies". drink in, drink - be fascinated or spell-bound by; pay close attention to; "The mother drinks in every word of her son on the stage".