You have to work problems. Start with the beginning problems even though they will be so simple you can work them in your head. Write down the solution step by step and get a method going as if teacher said 'show your work'. Some books start with a chapter on applications and laws, which may be skipped so as to get to the practice problems. Don't worry about associative and distributive and two trains problems in the beginning, but do work the cut and dried arithmetic problems. When you can factor quadratics like a pro, you are getting there.
A lot of that was Greek to me, so I know for a fact I should DEFINITELY start over with simple arithmetic! LOL You know the weird thing is...I never did well when I had to "show my work". I would skip a step or two, and when I did, I would somehow arrive at the correct answer. When I had to show each step, I was sure to screw it up. Overthinking, I suppose. :)