Learning Mandarin

I'm currently taking Mandarin classes and am honestly finding it quite a challenge as it is a very difficult language to learn. I've asked around and it seems like there is no easier way to learn Mandarin short of memorizing! Perhaps I should start looking at franklin speaking language master tools or guides to help me improve my Mandarin. Hopefully, after a few more months of pain, I will be able to hold a decent conversation and recognise more characters!