How to study kanji?

INDEX

How to study kanji?

There are 2 things you need to memorize: how to read and how to write kanjis.

In my opinion the only possible way to memorize writing is... by writing! Not with a computer, not with the keyboard, but on paper with pencil or pen. That seems to me to be the only possible way you can ever memorize how to write kanji.

WRITE, WRITE, WRITE.
There is no other way.

What should you write? You can write texts for yourself, maybe a blog, or write letters to friends. You don't need to send the letter by mail. You can copy the text later with a computer and send by email. But the first draft needs to be on paper, so you can practice how to write kanjis by hand.
I recommend writing first in English (or whatever your native language is), then converting to hiragana, and finally to kanji.
Use 3 lines, the first line for English, the second for hiragara, and the last for kanji. Write the text in English first leaving 2 empty lines between the English lines for the hiragana and kanji.
Carry a small notebook and a Japanese dictionary so you can write anywhere.
The English text can be anything, a blog, a letter, a diary, daily memos... You can make a list of things you want to write about.

So how to memorize reading? By doing exactly the same thing.

READ, READ, READ.
There is no other way.

Using online dictionaries is much easier and faster than printed dictionaries.
So I recommend reading online with a computer as much as possible.
The one I use most is
http://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/
Make a list of texts you want to read, so you can discipline yourself.
After reading each text, you can write a review, telling your thoughts about the text, just like a movie critic.