I agree. The struggle is real when trying to learn the "right" way to do something. However, progress can still happen (even if it is in the "wrong" direction). I'm okay scrapping a feature or even an entire project when trying something new. I've learned how not to do something and, more importantly, the reason behind that.
I know Clemson University's Digital Production Arts teaches a lot of 3D animation stuff, they also offer student enrolled in the program a Pluralsight to learn Maya, Nuke, etc. I hear from a few of their students that it's a good resource compared to some of the coursework.