If you participate in distance learning, you must be self-motivated and have self-control. You set the schedule and time when you learn. In a classroom, the teacher expects you to show up on time and do the work. When you work online, you are the person who must make the time to participate in classroom chats and attend classes. It is easy to put off the class until another time instead of staying on schedule. You must have a strong conviction to study and learn when participating in online education.
It's hard for instructors to meet the needs of all students when teaching online classes. Besides technology issues, teachers must also select times for exams and chats. Teachers must answer students' emails promptly and explain or answer questions through emails or chats instead of face-to-face as in a classroom. Some teachers and students find this hard to do.
The Internet is not infallible. Connections to the online learning website sometimes go down and leave you without access to your class or to your work site to take quizzes and upload assignments on deadline. Even if the school Internet and your Internet are running without any problems, the amount of people accessing the class can cause a slowdown.
The curriculum you take online will make a difference. If you aren't good in subjects such as math and history, online learning might not be right for you if you need those classes. Some students need one-on-one help with subjects. Although you can talk to the teacher through email and chats, it's not the same as having face-to-face help.
When you choose online learning to continue your education, you are giving away your ability for social interaction with other classmates. You are the only one in the room while you are learning, even if other students are online for chat. You must work independently without interaction with other students.