Hi @ranahydro,I’m doing great and hope your preparations are on track 
I’d usually break up a word(not necessarily root/prefix/etymological origin) and would try to come up with an image and if needed,link those images.
This is essentially how most people memorize words of foreign origin.
Other options would be homographs and rhyming words,which I presume everyone does.
Also,I embrace different cultures(not languages),so that gives me more references to work with.
For eg-
To some,the word “prayer” would mean a person with folded hands.
But for me,prayer can also mean a Prayer wheel ,which is used in Tibetan culture.
After a bit of practice,the brain becomes more efficient in this skill.
Check out the following post,which consists of my reply and also links to posts by another member(ThomdeTarde), who was super kind to share his enormous effort.
Hope this helps…cheers