>>13230 (OP)
You should learn basic dc circuitry while diving into arduino stuff. Grab yourself a basic learning/breadboard kit and actually breadboard out something before soldering it. Doesn't need to involve a microcontroller, just enough to learn to read basic circuit diagrams and follow them. You don't need any fancy tools, just get a cheap multimeter and soldering iron (with some desolder braid, very important). "Getting started with electronics" by Forrest M Mimms is a great starting book too, has a lot of illustrations that make learning concepts easy.