how to stop mixing up similar words??

okay so I keep getting so confused with words that look IDENTICAL but mean totally different things. like the word for elephant and then symbol??? like they literally have the exact same vibes and then there is coal and luck which is just... why. i tried using flashcards but then i got distracted by making tea and forgot what i was doing. does anyone have a trick for this or am I just doomed to call a general an esca