When I started to learn the Runes this is what I did, besides reading books about runes.  The best way to get into runes is writing with them, and starting with the first 24 the Elder Futhark.  Get to know your first 24 in order, funny now I think of it I wrote them out like lines.

This is a good way of learning them off by heart, once you know them in order then you can concentrate on the next step.  Try getting your friends interested to so you can start writing letters to each other in runes.

I won't put any pictures in here it is up to you to find them as I believe there is enought literature on the net with pictures of runes on them.

Fehu F
Uraz U
Thurisaz Th
Ansuz A
Raidho R
Kenaz K, C
Gifu G
Wyn W, V

Hagal H
Nyd N
Isa I
Jera J
Eoh Z/Eo
Peorth P
Elhaz X
Sigel S
Tyr T
Beorc B
Ehwaz E
Manaz M
Lagu L
Ing Ng
Odal O
Dag D

MG

Hi, moongoddess. I did this too when I was starting to explore runes.  I even made a small wall hanging embroidered with runic characters spelling out various qualities I aspire to have like joy, health, etc.

We moved, though, and I have yet to locate my bag of runes and the book it came bundled with. Even then, I haven't forgotten the symbols because of that exercise.

I have a really bad memory. I am unable to remember the simplest of things. I think I may have to give your method a go. I have been studying and reading runes for a few years but still have problems remembering them all. Maybe this will help.

Thanks for the tip

I find it helps some people if they use rune cards. Each card has a picture on it that portrays the energy of the rune, and of course the rune itself, this helps to imprint the rune on the memory and before long you can work without the cards but with the runes alone and each one triggers the picture and hence the meaning. You can easily make your own 'cards' and use them rather than buying a set, and then the picture will have more power, meaning and worth to you. This method works best for those that are visually minded when it comes to learning

Rune cards are a good suggestion like flash cards, are good for boosting the memory.  You can even play memory games with them by making to sets of them, shuffle them and then place them in rows face down.  Choose a card and then try to find the next card just like the game matchup.

To start off with though just try to memorise the runes, do not worry about learning their meanings just yet, that will come later in the next step.