Moritz, When I first started learning JAVA, I started a small project and used a website as my crutch. You might want to checkout JavaRanch.com. I spent quite a bit of time there during my "learning curve". They have 3 levels of forums & I'm sure you can skip the Beginners Forum (where I spent most of MY time). The site was 'almost' as helpful then as the Monastery is now ;-).
Keep in mind, I'm a newbie in BOTH. Thanks, I hope this helped.