In terms of being active versus passive, it is really up to you to decide how much time you can devote to real estate investing. 

I understand wanting the learning experience but for someone who doesn't have a lot of time to devote to it, that could become a very expensive learning experience.

If they put me on the board I would devote efforts to upkeep the value of everyone's home.

I definitely want to try to get better at this, but currently I work a fulltime job and cannot devote the time it would take to improve in this area.

Lots of rushed stops at home to shower and change clothes to run out the door to a meeting.I got my Real Estate license in February 2018 and at the time had only about 10-15 hours per week that I could devote to RE. 

How much time do you have to devote to investing?

Meaning mostly that they are devoting 99% of their time to working the deal.  

Apartment finding in San Marcos is seasonal so you can devote some of your off season time to getting your feet wet in traditional real estate. 

Most landlords wouldn't devote much time to consider such a situation so you are already ahead of your competition. 

When and if you reach a point in school that you have free time, after devoting time to your family, then you can look to real estate interests.