There is no shortcut for memorizing words, phrase, and characters... Someone might think of "偏旁", but it actually does not work for many learners.  You can conclude the language rules of Chinese characters, if you have accumulated great number of characters.  Just like the suffix and prefix, some people find it helpful but some people find it useless.

Do not simply mesmerizing characters, it's not helpful and will cause problems.  For instance, I memorize two English words: retaliate &revenge, hence,therefore &thus...  These words have similar Chinese definitions. Apparently, these words have different meaning and usage in English... when English speakers try to convert English to Chinese, they will also encounter similar problems. 

I think the best way to learn a new language is to use the input-output concept which brought by some western linguists. You need to read a lot of materials and paraphrase those readings, and then, find someone to correct your work. Your can improve writing and reading by practicing input-output process. As to speaking and listening, I would recommend you to watch national news and imitate them. Do not use the local media because they have accent.

But sometimes, especially when I stare at one certain character for a really long time, I usually have the feeling that it is not even a word somehow. But after changing my focus for a while, then it comes back to familar again. Soo strange.