Memory involves short-term and long-term processes.  It's getting the words and phrases embedded into the long-term memory that is the challenge.  That's why you study, study, study... then write the exam, then a month later remember only half of the material.  When I was starting to learn Spanish, I would make little prop-up sign cards and put them on the objects that they represented.  For example, "the table" which is "la mesa" in Spanish.  In that way, every time that I walked past the table I saw "la mesa" and I was reminded every time that I walked past the little sign.  My home looked weird for a while but I didn't care.  Technology and computers are great but sometimes you need a physical representation to cue your brain within the physical world around you.  So... I shared this idea, that's it!  Good luck on your learning goals.

There is a very simple answer to such questions. Buy a small address book and write new words under the letters with the translation and then memorise the pages regularly. Sorry for a teacher's response: vocab! 

Anki deck was by far the most effective tool for me while I learned my first 1,000 words.

use a tool like Anki.

Hi Jolie, I think that memorize and memorize is not a good technique because, as you said, you will forget everything the next day. The best method is to seek for a good and supportive partner to practice with. Etymology is another way because once you understand the historical part of the word and you link it with another words, your brain starts like making a web of related words. At least it works for me. Good luck, greetings from Argentina.