''How do I connect paths if they are not the endpoints nor beginnings ?''
I assume we are talking the pen tool ? ignore the rest if not ...
I'm a beginner too but here's how i do it :
If while drawing you place it's cursor on a path and next to the pen tools icon a + appears , keep it right there and hold down the shift key , then click or click and drag with the mouse , .
if that wasn't clear here's an example:
Drawing a letter p starting at the bottom - a straight line upwards , then the anchor point to the right and to get it to join back up to the vertical line, position the pen on that line then hold down shift then click the mouse .then the escape key to finish.