making it easier? Eliminate easier from your mind and replace it with more efficient.

Hi Brooke, I am in the same boat. I've found that online websites are horrible at teaching Chinese. My current strategy is to use a pinyin book that also teaches Chinese simplified characters. I have also started asking questions of the Chinese native speakers on italki. It is slow going, mostly because of the 汉字. There is a lot of memorization required!

my wechat ID is syajxm,im a girl studying English and i would like to meet u

Can teach me to learn English? Would you please join my SKYPE:fanqingqing118, I can help you learn Chinese,

You can try https://www.verbling.com/ , I have done some paid lessons there, it's a great place.