How I started teaching:
I started helping my friends with academics. While clearing their doubts and explaining concepts I noticed that my grip over the concepts and subject matter increased and I started to like teaching and explaining them. I could correlate things easily. Also my main approach was understanding the purpose(applications in few cases)

Approach to Engineering Studies:
Apart from first year mathematics and programming subjects in Electronics and Communication one should start with (While preparing for exams don't get too far away from university prescribed syllabus) Network Theory-->Signals and Systems-->Control Systems-->Digital Electronics(Circuits)-->Electronic Devices & Circuits-->Analog Electronics(Circuits)-->Analog Communications--->Digital Communications-->Electromagnetic Theory and Antennas--->Maths and Some Aptitude. Use standard texts for reference (contact to know about textbooks to be referred for the above mentioned subjects, I'll reply as soon as I get free[I can only guide about ECE]).

I'm preparing for the GATE(Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) exam. This exam deals with the technical, mathematical aspects of our engineering studies and apart from this even aptitude. So during the course of preparation I happen to learn in depth of my engineering subjects.

1st know the syllabus
2nd clear concepts
3rd Practising problems(if it is a mathematical subject) or practical approach(if its a theoretical subject)

Happy Learning.