Summer is here. It’s time for drinks by the pool and trips to exotic and exciting locations.

While this is a nice dream, the reality is that most college students are stuck inside offices, working from nine to five for the first time. Some of us are stuck working some crummy job because we really need to make money or gain experience.

Not all of us can be as lucky as our peers, who spend their summer months gallivanting through Italy or tanning on the beach in Barcelona while studying abroad.

This leads to a serious dilemma for most people. How will we get a great summer tan when we are stuck inside all day? How can we possibly compete come August when our friends have a perfectly even tan from lying under the Mediterranean sun?

I, too, face this problem and have scoured the Internet and Pinterest, while pretending to work of course, to find ways to get a natural tan more quickly. When the only time we get to lay out is on the weekends or after we finish battling traffic at 6 p.m., we are left with only a few precious minutes to work on getting an even glow.

I have found and tried a few things that have helped accelerate the tanning process, while also protecting my skin from burning or becoming overly damaged.

I found that applying coconut oil before lying out is beneficial to the tanning process. Coconut oil nourishes, protects and moisturizes your skin in and outside of the sun. The oil is full of fatty acids that nourish your skin and help keep it looking even and nourished. Instead of drying out your skin, it helps protects against cracking and wrinkles. It is easily absorbed into your skin and also helps protect it against harmful UV rays.

Another helpful product I tried is the Maui Babe browning lotion. After originally trying this product on a family trip to the Hawaiian Islands,

I was a huge fan of the results. The product is a tan accelerator and works for all skin types. It is safe to use with regular sunscreen and helps prevent damage from extended periods of time in the sun. The company also has an After Sun line that helps hydrate and nourish your skin after time in the sun. For more information about the Maui Babe products, you can visit mauibabe.com.

Tanning and lying in the sun is not healthy, and it can lead to wrinkles and skin damage. If you are fair skinned and burn easily, it is best to limit time in the sun and exposure to ultraviolet rays. Getting a spray tan or using a self tanner is healthier and highly recommended option. For those of you who do enjoy lying out and tanning, these ideas can help cut down on some of the damage that ultraviolet rays can cause.