Use function stubs. When writing a larger project, write your function headers or method declarations with empty bodies and compile your project to see that the structure works. Once your program compiles, go back and write one piece at a time. This is the incremental build method. Try a different compiler if you get stuck trying to find an error.
Different compilers give different error messages or find different problems.
Learn to use a debugging program before you need it. When you need to use a debugger, you probably won't have time to stop and figure out how it works. Running through a debugger tutorial now will prepare you for using it when that mystery bug shows up the night before your program is due. Insert print statements in your code to help isolate a problem location.