I think the video is definitely the way to go. The joint should be shiny when you are finished and it has cooled. Make sure the wires etc. are together before you add the solder because it they move while it is cooling, it don't work and you get a grey "cold" soldered joint.
Remember to "tin" the tip of the iron first (clean the tip of the iron and let a few drops of solder sit and melt on the tip). That gives you max heat conduction. Once you put the tip to the joint and add a little solder, don't leave it on too long. Heat travels really fast in wire. That is why you use a heat sink (clip) above the wired joint and between other components to take some of the heat away.

Here is the secret. PRACTICE on some scrap parts until you get a quick shiny joint. Feel how hot, upstream the wire gets. You may even melt some of the wire covering. A poor joint will drive you crazy. It is really easy but requires just a little skill and experience.

Go for it. You got any friends that can teach you?

well i have my dad but he doesn't do things that way but the video is pretty much enough all i need is practice

We Dads are like that This is a good skill to have and the worst damage you can do is melt something upstream like a capacitor. Once you get the touch, you are good to go.

yeah he just lets the solder drop into the joint (which was why i asked) seriously i should have learned this years ago i'm kinda embarassed i'm an 18 year old college student and i never had the courage to experiment on a guitar cause i'm afraid i'll screw up... which is why i got me a strat knockoff lol

I too am cautious (I'm a mechanical engineer) but some times you just have to let go and "go for it" That is the way we learn and develop skill. Not from reading about it. Remember that Leo Fender was an experimenter and developed these guitars by intelligent trial and error. He would be proud of you.

And - your dad's approach is terrible. Don't tell him I told you.