Follow these simple steps to become a good online student.

1 - Familiarize yourself with the computer and software

• Be comfortable with the computer, Internet, e-mail, web browser, and search engine software.
• Use the tutorial on the software used by your online school, read it and pick up the skills.

2 - Familiarize yourself with the course syllabus

• Pick out all information you need for your online course.
• Read information about the course description, objectives, and requirements, course meetings, assignments and testing.

3 - Take advantage of technology

• You don't have to be a tech wiz to use the available technology.
• Learn the various ways of communicating on the web.
• Blogging, podcasting, video conferencing and chatting are tools that will help you with online studying.

4 - Get organized and motivate yourself

• It is very easy to become careless and loose track. Being organized will help you focus on your goals.
• Organize your study time, work hours and free time.
• Make a schedule and stick to it.
• Don't let minor set backs derail you.
• Log on to your computer daily

5 - Create a private study area

• This will help you focus on your studies without distractions.
• This will also ensure that others do not to disturb you while you are in your study area.
• Try and keep all your study materials here, so you know where to look for it and do not waste time on that.

6 - Interact with your peers

• Contribute and exchange your ideas, perspective and comments with your virtual classmates.
• Join online student communities and blogs.
• Start a blog of your own and invite students studying the same subjects to share ideas.

7 - Interact with your Faculty

• Constantly stay in touch with your professors.
• Ask them if you have technical difficulties, or problems in understanding something related to the course.
• Since your professors cannot see you, you must be absolutely clear in expressing your ideas and needs.

8 - Evaluate and test yourself

• Evaluate yourself constantly for progress.
• Take tests after through preparations.
• Don't hurry to take the tests, time them carefully.
• Have your work evaluated by fellow classmates and teachers.

9 - Create a support system

• Before starting your online course create a support group.
• Inform your family, employer and friends tell them what help you would need from them.
• Delegate some of your work; don't try to do everything.
• Decide how responsibilities will be reallocated while you are participating in online learning.

10- Netiquette-remember the do's and don'ts

• When you are online, be careful of netiquettes.
• Both the real world and the virtual world are inhabited by people; so same rules apply.
• Be careful of what you say on the Internet; never be rude.
• The web does not give you the license to practice racism or air your prejudices.
• Share your knowledge freely.
• Respect privacy of other people.