How To Get An Internship Without Lying Or Through A Connection ?

How do people who are not exceptional (Really high grades, sports achievements, awards etc) go about getting their first internship ?

One of my friends who is a borderline drug addict, average grade of 50% is about to get his second internship just because his dad is high up within the finance industry.

Another friend I have who is exceptional and has a job as a prop trader told me to flat out lie and say I have done an internship in my freshman year (I'm in second year now) saying they won't check they just want to know you didn't waste a summer.

My grades aren't great so far 60% average however I still have time to attain a first class honours degree if I put in work for the rest of this year and my final year.

Im not trying to get a Goldman Sachs internship, I would be happy working in a big 4 accounting firm in a finance role or any boutique finance firm.

I secured two interviews last summer in a boutique private equity firm and an investment bank but they went with other candidates which really annoyed me being 0/2.

If I go another summer without an internship I really feel my future prospects diminish greatly.

The only thing I have going for me is being really well read on finance which doesn't really count for shit Ive realised.

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