I did survival my first time and I liked it. However, today I hate survival. Whatever base I build something happens to it. I tried building a house out of wood in the sky and when I tried to make a nether portal I accidently lit one piece of wood and my whole house burned down. I also tried making one underwater, but the water won't go away no matter how many buckets I use and it's in an enclosed box. I tried giving Minecraft a second try, but I'm really not liking it. Your friends should really try Survival mode, but Creative mode should be used to practice building things before they start building it on Survival so they don't waste materials.