As a beginner, how do i get started? what lists should i be using?

Welcome! :)

If you're just starting out, I'd recommend using Skritter in parallel with classes, and studying the list on Skritter for the textbook you use there. Or, there are lots of places to study online - you can get tutors on Skype amongst many options; look around this forum, and I'm sure some will share here.

Personally, I find classes with a highly qualified native speaking teacher are the best way. Skritter is fantastic, and made much more useful if you have a framework to work under, like a textbook or class, that teaches you the many other aspects of a foreign language.

Edit: for now, a good starting point would be HSK 1 - found here http://www.skritter.com/vocab/other_official#HSK (new) if you're studying Chinese.

Agreed that HSK1 is a fine place to dip in and get a feel for things. If you plan on studying Chinese more seriously (to a decent level) I'd suggest at the very least investing in a textbook that has a progression through several volumes - New Practical Chinese Reader is one of the more popular series, with 6 volumes of increasing difficulty (each corresponding to about a semester of university level class, I believe).

I would consider:

1. Use Skritter to supplement your other learning (eg, if you're studying a particular textbook, study that textbook on Skritter).

2. Go all out and learn a list of the most use characters by themselves. Later on you can use this foundation to quickly learn words. If this way, start with the list of radicals (you don't necessarily have to complete it), and then Heisig's list of 1500 top characters.

3. Mix and match the two above. Even if doing the first soley, it wouldn't harm to have a look at the radical list, or some of the Heisig list to get a feel for characters.

Are you studying Chinese or Japanese?

I tried to learn the individual characters at first. It was very hard to make them stick and I spent a lot of time weaving intricate stories in order to remember them. It took me two months to learn just 300 characters. After I switched to learning words instead of characters I found that seeing the same characters in different contexts makes it much easier to remember them. That, and you are actually learning useful vocabulary. Skritter's 3840 word New Practical Chinese Reader vocabulary list makes learning new words and characters very easy when combined with the actual textbooks and audio. In the past month I learned 300 new characters. 100 of those I learned in the past week, after changing Skritter settings to add words faster and setting proper goals using beeminder.com. Aim high at first and then adjust your goal to something a little bit more realistic. I know about 600 characters now and am hoping to learn another 1000 before I return to Beijing again on September 22.

If you are totally new to learning Chinese and haven't found a textbook, or other learning materials yet, you could start with the Skritter Chinese 101 list, found here: http://www.skritter.com/vocab/list?list=agtzfndyaXRlLXdheXIWCxINVm9jYWJMaXN0SW5mbxjfn_lNDA

I specifically designed the list for students with no background in Chinese. The Skritter list simultaneously teaches radicals, characters, and words. It provides a basic comprehension on Chinese character and word formation. All words provided in the list are considered SUPER high frequency and will be found in any beginner textbook. After the launch of the Skritter app I'll be working on a few supplemental grammar posts for students using this list.

The goal was to provide easy, high frequency Chinese that you can use the second you're done studying.

If you complete the whole list you will have a basic understand of 75 radicals, 200+ individual characters and 300+ words.

Please let me know if you have any questions and best of luck on your studies!

STICK TO SKRITTER EVERY DAY
ALLOW EXCEPTIONS BUT RARELY, LESS THAN ONE PER WEEK
CHINESE FOR WESTERN PEOPLE HAS NO MERCY
I AM HAPPILY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FIRST HILL NOW,
I KNOW THE NEXT ONE IS GOING TO BE TOUGH ALSO, BUT SKRITTER HELPS A LOT

GOOD LUCK

Make a daily routine, myself I skipped reading the newspaper every morning and skritter for 20-30 minutes,
a good start of the day when the brain is 'fresh' :)