The summer before graduate school can often feel like a time of limbo. You might be excited to start school again, wondering how you can best spend your time to prepare for the next step in your education.

Maybe you’re looking for more motivation, or tips on how to succeed in graduate school. This summer is a great time to lay out in the sun with one of these three books that are sure to inspire and help prepare you for your time in grad school:

The thought of financing graduate school immediately after your graduation as an undergraduate can seem unnerving, to say the least, but it’s crucial to know that it is possible, and there are ways it can be done without being consumed by student debt.

There are a few things to remember when considering this: 1) you are your own worst enemy, and 2) you are your own biggest advocate. In short, if you tell yourself you won’t be able to finance graduate school or that you aren’t smart enough, then your chances are slim. On the other hand, if you say, “Yes, I can do this!,” you’re on the right track to saving money for and earning your graduate degree.

Don’t be disheartened by your own negative thoughts, use the resources around you, and work hard. You can accomplish whatever it is you set your mind to.

Here are a few things you can do now to start preparing for graduate school (the holiday season is the perfect time to start!):