Create a study group to help stay on track. Reach out to other students in the class and set up regular study group times, either online or in person, to go over materials. Create a group on Facebook where study group members can post questions and chat whenever they have questions or want to go over materials. This way you can help each other study or quiz each other to help with subject matter retention.
Set aside specific study time each week and stick to it. For every hour you are in class, you will need to anticipate two to three hours of study to complete work outside of class. Schedule blocks of time into your week to accommodate this studying.
Divide coursework into manageable chunks. Review the syllabus the instructor supplies and take note of any large projects or assignments that you can begin working on immediately. Divide the number of class weeks by the amount of reading that you have to ensure that you create time in your schedule to study all the course materials.
Take notes of the major points you read during your independent study. Use bullet points or an outline to categorize your ideas and thoughts. Review your notes before the current week's lecture so that you are ready to participate during a discussion. Use your weekly notes as a study guide at the end of the semester to review the course work and prepare for an exam, if necessary.
Make a list of questions to email the teacher on a weekly basis once you've completed your weekly studies. With distance learning, you don't have the luxury of dealing with the teacher face to face, so taking the extra step to remember your questions will ensure that you do not miss important points or fall behind.