The actual operation of touching the iron to the work and applying solder should only take seconds at most. Looks like you've got a heat problem Yeah the soldering could use a little work - but that only comes with experience (and starting with a dual-sided circuitboard doesn't make it any easier! [] ]'> )

For your remaining capacitor I'd just stick it upside down on that burnt patch of circuitboard with some glue, then I'd bend the legs 90 degrees and cut them short adding a couple of thin insulated wires and running them to the appropriate place on the circuit.