... is to read and understand the datasheets BEFORE you start on a project. That way, you know what you can learn, and, hence, will learn it. If you don't know what's to be learned, you won't learn it.

Consider, for example, that a non-autoloading counter/timer still generates an overflow signal. If you know how long it takes to recognize and respond to that, you can precisely time the subsequent incrementation of a counter maintained entirely in firmware. You just have to count cycles so you won't lose your place in time.

RE