good luck! be careful with the SMT pads. use a low wattage iron, generous flux, and some fine desoldering braid if you have it.
edit: oh whoops, i told you not to desolder. lol! just reflow the joint and stick some fine hookup wire into it while the joint is molten.
You freakin newb,, HIGH POWER is easier, in all cases, the longer you use a low power iron and hold it there the more chance you'll damage the components.
for switches,
The contacts in the switch is a metal splint that goes into the switch housing, of which is plastic. So, if the solder doesn't melt right away, there's a chance you'll heat up the inside of the switch, risking melting inside the switch, along the metal contacts.
for resistors,
cleaner solder joints, the less time you hold the iron there
have you noticed the joints come out all discolored and cloudy if you hold it there too long? but if you do it fast with superman precision, it comes out shiny..