To an extent, I agree that knowledge that are learned the hard way gets attributed larger value. This is because the mind remembers the emotions we attribute to memories.
However, to a large extent, I also disagree with it. Sometimes, because the mind that has been through difficulty has the chance to be traumatized, something that is difficult may not be the effective strategy. Instead, we must associate easy and calm memories with the experience of learning.
Hence, we should devise ways to make a complicated skill doable and easy to do. If we expose students to learning, bit by bit, synapses get formed and creating connections becomes easier.
We must aspire to simplify learning so it becomes doable for our students.