The sun on your face, ocean waves crashing against the shore, and a cold drink in your hand are the essence of a perfect beach day. Now that summer is here, it's time to make your in-class daydreams a reality. Just like any place you adventure to, you don't realize how much you forgot to pack until you get there. With these few tips, your day will be as effortless as you imagined.

1. Spray vs. Rub-On Sunscreen

Spray on sunscreen will change the way you tan. This kind of lotion is not only easier to apply, but it helps avoid discovering sunburn in the shape of you hand later on. Since it also applies and dries completely clear, you will never have to fight those awkward white streaks again. Hello effortless tan!

2. Towels, towels and more towels

When packing for the beach, a towel is always a necessity. What most forget to factor in is how dirty and sandy that single towel you packed is going to become. Pack LOTS of towels. Bring an extra towel for everyone and leave it in the car. That way, you have a fresh, clean towel to clean off with and sit on during the ride home. Also bring towels to wrap your sandy towels in to avoid getting sand all over your car. We all know how annoying it is to get sand out of the car. That's a battle of its own.

3. Ziploc bags

Sand gets everywhere when you go to the beach. It reaches places you would have never imaged, such as between your phone case. Put your phone in a Ziploc bag to avoid it being exposed to sand, water and sunscreen. The bags are still thin enough to have complete use of your screen while inside.

4. Extra water

Sandy feet are always a struggle on the ride home. Pack bottles filled with water so you can sit on the seat and wash your feet off outside the car before pulling your legs in. Again, avoiding getting sand in your car that never seems to leave.

5. Hats

Everyone remembers sunglasses, but many forget how awesome hats can be at the beach. Not only will they help keep the sun off your face (goodbye awkward sunglasses tan), but they also help protect your scalp from getting burnt. Brushing your hair with a burnt scalp was NOT part of your beach day fantasy.

6. Be smart with your snacks

Enjoying a snack while laying on the beach is great, but be selfish with them when it comes to birds. If you want to avoid being attacked for your snacks, PLEASE don't feed the birds. It only takes ones cracker for them to never leave you alone for the rest of the day.

7. Coolers

Food and drinks can become very hot while at the beach. Pack a cooler with ice to keep all your treats cold throughout the day. Before you leave the beach, dump the ice out to make your cooler much lighter for the ride home.

Whether your idea of a perfect day at the beach is swimming in the ocean or laying in the sand to get the perfect tan, follow these tips to make your day at the beach one you will dream about the next time you're in class.