Answer 1

First bit of advice, don't base things on if they're easy or hard, that makes a habit of always picking the lazy/easy route and can cause you to shy away from challenges. The reality is that there are going to be challenges and things that you'll need to do that are difficult, so engage into challenges and don't always pick the easy way. Most of the things in life that's worth while are difficult to do.

Okay, lecture is over. :D The best way to learn Java, for myself, is to read through the language fully, even if I don't understand it yet. Then I practice what I can remember and what I learned. Then I read through the language again, this time I write down anything that I still don't understand. Afterward, I go and research everything that I wrote down extensively, and learn whatever I can on it. Then I practice those particular concepts until it makes sense. Rinse & repeat that process until it makes sense to you. This is both a good way to learn Java and a good way to practice it.

Hope that helps. Best of luck to you!