Newbie: 0, Swimcap: 5

Turns out you can't search forum for the term "swimming cap", so I don't know if this has been answered somewhere already. I'm a complete swimming newbie. I am teaching myself, because I'm one of those rebels who don't do well with lessons. Never mind that my technique is non-existent, or that I usually get water up my nose twice every lap. My battle lies with my swimming cap. I'm having trouble with my swimming cap. My hair is longer and annoying in the pool and when it is wet. So I bought a nice Speedo Latex swimming cap. For the life of me, I cannot get this darn cap onto my head in such a manner as to contain my hair to some degree. I can only manage to pull it on my head with my hair hanging out and clinging to my neck. Is there some trick to putting on a swimming cap if you have lots of hair? I tried pony tails and buns, but the process of trying to get the cap on usually destroys it.