Hell yeah! Don't ever give it up. One of my favorite people I have worked for told me, when I was failing miserably at a management position I got shoved into, that we learn far more from our failures than our successes. As long as your learn something, the time is not wasted.
Even if it takes you 69,420 more attempts, the time will continue to pass either way. Once you cross that finish line, the struggles will be but a distant memory. You will be glad that you stuck with it. Good luck with your classes! Keep that head held high :)
I do it the right way. Push from the seal towards the opening until there are only like two brush-worths left, then I fold the sides by the opening to get those last drops.