OP, holding is also difficult task for newbies cause without proper knowledge, it is difficult to set the point where to buy. Holding top potential altcoins may safe you for lossing much but trading is so challenging like a Battle and a newcomer has 90% possibility to lose. So a person new to teach himself about trading first and make himself capable enough to make it work in trading. Shouldn't jump in high risk trading without any signs or something what indicates it'll be in your flavor. Thus a new trader can survive with minor losses. But its tricky when price of that traded altcoin, enter into correction zone and need to decide whatever you need to stay or close position
You are right,that is why it is more important that newbies or beginners who have zero knowledge about trading should try to ask questions to have a basic knowledge about what they are into.It also necessary for them to do some basic research in other not to suffer lose.
Knowing that trading is risky and still pushing to know to know more about it means that the newbie is brave,and will be able to stand it when loses come because the most important thing about this is having a strong mind when you lose.