Organize a timetable for study. Without the exigencies of daily classes and assignment submissions, it is easy to get into the habit of postponing your study. Consider your commitments at work and at home and arrive at an estimate of the time on hand for studies. Perhaps you work longer at the office on some days or you have to drop kids to activity classes on particular days. Factor in all such demands on your time and prepare a realistic timetable. Set targets accordingly for portions to be covered within a particular period. Make sure the timetable is not too rigid; allow room for rescheduling study tasks.
Set up a study area where you can keep your course material and study in silence, without any disturbance. Put up a wall chart at this place and mark out assignment submission and exam dates. Remember that there will not be any friends ringing up to remind you of these details. Alternatively, use a diary to organize your study schedules.
Seek out virtual study groups to make up for the lack of daily interaction with teachers and classmates. Ask you instructor about other people who have enrolled for the same distance learning course. Send them an email about forming an online study group.
Follow 'netiquette' -- the etiquette of cyberspace -- while interacting with your online correspondents. Don't let the impersonal nature of the computer screen blind you to the fact that there is a real person with feelings at the other end. Be as courteous and kind as in a face to face interaction. Never expect instant replies to your queries because it is quite probable that the other people in your study group have concerns of their own.
Avoid distractions during online study sessions. The fact that no one is watching or the time lag in receiving a response can tempt you into multi-tasking. Never pepper your online study sessions with checking mail, texting, updating your Facebook profile or tweeting. Stay focused on your study session.