Best way to improve chess skills

I started playing chess just under a year ago and at first my rating was less than 700 but I kept slowly improving up to around 1200. I've been going above an below 1200 for a few months now and just can't get out of it. Does anyone have a good suggestion for a method of improving? I only ever learn from playing games because I don't really know how I'd study to get better.

I'd like to be at least an International Master by this time next year :P

You could try replaying your games you lost, those are where we learn the most.

Endgames are the easiest element to learn from books and such imo.  You might give that a try, too.  And, by coming to know how to deal with endgames, that should help your middle game, too (for those times when you're at a loss as to what to aim for in the middle game, knowing what sort of endings are easier to win helps you decide where your focus ought to be in the middle game). 

Leave 'opening study' to chess masters.

sftac

 We would all like to be an IM by this time next year. I don't think you have any idea what it takes to make it to that level.

First step is to lose that international master goal. Set more achievable goals in small increments.

What or how do you currently study?