Just planted

I just planted new seeds. Due to my repeated failures I decided (first time grower) I decided to soak the seeds a couple hours and plant them directly in the soil to germinate. The soil is currently nice and moist (not too wet). I really don't want to fail again so what are some good ways for me to be able to retain the moisture in the soil without overwatering and killing the roots? So far I haven't even been able to keep plants alive for a week.

Stop overwatering. The soil will stay moist for at least a week with seedlings.

put plastic wrap on the pots tell you see em sprout

yup plastic wrap and dont over water

Is it necessary to still have light over the pots with plastic wrap over them or can I wait until the seeds sprout to add light?

use a small mist bottle to spray the soil area around the seedling without having to soak the whole container. don't keep it too wet. GL

Light.... as close as you can put soil near if it's a CFL grow...

That's what i do ,i just water the soil and plant the seed in ,to the depth of a pens nib ..ie i make the hole with the pen to the depth of the silver bit.You do not need light at this stage ,but you do need warmth.You won't need to water again for a week or so wait until the top layer of soil is dry and the container feels lighter like it did when there was no water in it..then once it sprouts get it under the light.

I hope I have not failed again..I put them in soil for germination about 4 days ago and I'm hoping that they sprout in the next few days. My success rate in getting them to sprout has been horrible..I've wasted more seeds than I would have liked to. I find myself having to water more than the once a week like some of you have mentioned..I only put enough in to keep the soil moist. I think my lights (54 watt 4' t5s) are drying out the soil faster than I would like..is that uncommon?