How to prepare for on-cycle next year?

incoming analyst at a BB in a mid-tier group. after reading all the on-cycle posts that happened this year im feeling shocked by the on-cycle process. im from a semi-target but have really no insight at all into the process at all so was just wondering what were some useful things to read/prep/networking to do. 

do people start networking in the spring of their senior year with associates from PE firms? it seems like HHs are the gatekeepers for the whole process so does networking even play a role in the process? would it be best practice to just reach out to alums (have a decent number since large state school) and treat it as a more informational interview (i.e asking them about why they chose PE, why their vertical, etc.). 

tldr: could someone point me to any good books/technical prep + offer any networking advice for this? 

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