Organic Chem Synthesis Help - Struggling to Get Started

[Edgeraid]

We've been doing syntheses for a little bit in class and I just can't get these. I'm having trouble taking the final compound and figuring out how to synthesize it from the starting compound(s). I feel like I'm better using reverse synthesis but I'm still getting stumped on that. I just can't think of where to begin or go with and after looking at the answer it seems so simple. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to approach these? I intend to keep practicing but I feel like I'm not getting anywhere considering almost every one stumps me.

 

[chemisttree]

I have two answers for you... one is instructive and detailed and the other is intuitive. Which one do you think I should use?