@CWOTUS hahahahahaha! That’s hysterical.
The trick is to learn some states that are easy for you to remember and then remember what surrounds those states. Do it in sections. Learn the northeast really well. Then the south. Then the west, etc. If you have driven long distances usually you know the order in which you passed through the states to get to where you are going. Probably ou can place at least 20 states right now without studying. Your in MS, TN is to the north, LA and AL would be easy for you to put on the map now.
I recommend getting blank maps, and writing in the states. Physically writing them with a pen or pencil. You can cheat the first time, and the action of writing them will start to engrave it into your brain. Then repeat several times without trying to do as much as you can without cheating. Just staring at the map will not put it in your brain like writing.
@johnpowell gave you my hint for Vermont and New Hampshire. Although, I just remember the Vermont like a V, not the other part, but I know those states are side by side. I know the east coast pretty well because I lived there. Maine is up at the top in the northeast, just think very very cold. Michigan has two parts, lower and upper peninsulas. I know Ohio is below it, wisconsin to the west. I know where to find Chicago, and that it is at the top of the state of Illinois. Tennessee is long east to west. Oklahoma has the little handle. The big square states out west trip me up a little. West coast there is only three states. Texas is easy, Florida is easy. If you know where North Carolina is you can find South Carolina. If you know where Florida is can find Georgia. If you know where Virgina is you cam find West VA. If you know where North Dakota is, you can find South Dakota.