How can I differentiate themselves for PE/HF recruiting in London?

Having been an absolute degenerate over the last few months whilst waiting to start as an IB analyst at a US BB in London, I've just reawakened my love for finance and want to do well.

What are the most time efficient things I can do over the next year or so to maximise my odds of breaking into a top fund? I don't speak a European language or anything and I didn't go to a top target undergrad.

I have the following resources and things going for me:

Things going for me:

1. One of, if not the very first person from my country to ever be offered a full time ibd position at a major bank in the west (latter is likelier)

2. I'm about to publish a small collection of short stories (pretty good sized, like 8-12k words each)

3. Lots of pre-uni awards (like National debate champion, scholarships etc) and good amount of quirky interesting stuff on campus

4. If neccessary, its very likely I woould be able to get a very sizeable scholarship for a top MBA (like at HBS/GSB/Wharton etc, assuming I can get in)

So - in my shoes, what would you do to maximise your odds in a couple years? I imagine it isn't completely impossible to study for the GMAT on weekends or on my commute. I imagine learning a language could be fun? 

I also had a few questions:

1.) What exactly is the process of getting headhunted in London? Would I have to have a very detailed linkedin and just pray one stumbles on my profile? Or is it as simple as applying and just adding as many headhunters on linkedin as possible

2.) When exactly would I expect to start applying for PE/HFs? Would this usually be at the beginning of being an A2?

3.) Is it worth attempting to lateral to an arbitrarily better bank like GS as soon as a spot opens even if I like the team i'm working with?

Looking forward to hearing your guys' thoughts.