After 50 years of working on my French, I still will never be mistaken for a native speaker and still could not have a discussion of abstract subjects comfortably. However, I do pretty well with most casual conversations if 1) people are not speaking at the speed of light and 2) they use a Parisian accent rather than the regional ones, such as spoken on the docks in Marseilles.
Even listening to folks from Montreal, for example, I find challenging.
I did have three months of full immersion after five years of schooling. That made all the difference.
Spanish, again spoken slowly and without too much regional accent, is easier. After two years of college Spanish, I can read newspapers and magazines, and understand some when I watch a Spanish movie. I have a Facebook friend who often writes in Spanish: I make a point of understanding his quips and looking up the few words I need to when I need to.
@letmeknow17: That said, just start on page one and go at your own pace. It will take however long it takes and will be a lot of fun. Today you can tell your friends your name, tomorrow, the weather report, the next day listing what you had for lunch. Keep a little notebook and write down a few things after each chat; vocabulary, idiom, whatever strikes your fancy. Review just before you fall asleep.
I used to listen to French nursery rhymes when I was still learning. That was also fun. And I am told that there are Spanish daytime soap operas accessible in some areas. You will need to know mi alma, mi corazon and el dolor.