Has any one used aluminum reinforced wall patch to fix hole in drywall? Can it be that hard?

my son just put his fist through the dry wall. I took him to the hardware store & got alll the supplies they said, he needs to fix it, But I dont know if I should trust him not to screw it up. Neither of us have ever patched a wall. Is this a job for a professional or can a snot nosed amature handle the job????? I'm thinking he needs to learn the lesson: you did it you pay for it & you fix it your self. Oh I live in an rented apartment