If you don't deserve merit, you won't get any. That's what merit was created for: reward those who can do HQ posts, help users, contribute with the forum, etc...
Anyone can make constructive posts if they actually care about having real discussions instead of only focusing on ranking up, joining bounties or making the minimum amount of posts to get paid on a signature campaign.
I believe it comes with time. I am a newbie, too. Trying to learn more and more from the discussions and asking questions myself helped me understanding the whole network better. While learning you are already earning, no need to gain anything "countable". Also all the good things come to an end so try to go every step with confidence and knowingly that everything has an end...
Except a sausage.

Much love
Jimbo201