Whats a good way to memorize Hiragana,Katakana?

[Rizu]

I also found repetition and drilling the most effective for hiragana and katakana. It only took about 3 weeks to learn, and probably another 3 or 4 to "master" them.

My method was drilling by column. I started with the hiragana vowels a,i,u,e,o. Wrote them several times on their own, then in a column. The next day, I did sa,shi,su,se,so, writing them on their own, then i did the vowel and s columns, to redrill the previous day. Every day I added a column until I could complete the whole chart from memory. Not only could I read, but I could write. Same method was used for katakana. Start with one column and keep adding one a day, but always write the previous columns.

Then, once a week, I printed off blank charts for hiragana and katakana and filled them in, to see how much I retained. There were always a few that I would forget, but I kept at it. It only took a few weeks to "master" them. I feel like I got a strong base, both in writing and reading.

[Shumiston]

Another good way is to create verbal and visual mnemonics in your head or even write them down. Memorize the mnemonics. Oh! In case you didn't know, mnemonics are basically just things to help you remember.

[jaypunkrawk]

Just doing it. Learn a line at a time: the A's, K's, S's, etc. Flash cards would also work well if that's your thing.

[AyaOB]

To add to this question, is there any places people know of where you can find hiragana and katakana charts which are laid out clearly? I have a pad for writing Japanese, and would like to have a chart of each at the front. I have been looking around the web, and have only found poorly laid out charts, charts which don't fit to size and require four pages when it could just fit on one page...

I have thought about copying the chart on Wikipedia's page, although the symbols are very small. I know I am asking for something not too big but not too small haha, but I figured maybe someone here might be able to help me.

I hope this helps you out.

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/8244/img012lr2.jpg

and

http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/9736/img013oq3.jpg

[nilfisq]

i use these as wallpapers on my computer: at least they are not so boring

hiragana
and
katakana

have fun!