Your first week in an online class can be daunting. Without the traditional classroom structure, many students wonder how to get started on the right foot.

If you're trying to make the most of your first online class, check out my About.com article: 10 Most Important Things You Can Do During Your First Week in an Online Class.

The tips will help you become a successful student, right from the start. Here's the first suggestion:

"Determine if you're in over your head. Take a look at the course requirements and your personal schedule - then, decide if you can really handle the workload. Can you balance the course work with your family and career? Are the required assignments at your level? Are you really dedicated to finishing the online course? Too many distance learning students enroll in online courses and drop out after a month or so. Don't blemish your record with an "F" or a "W." If you decide to dropout before your online school's withdrawal deadline, you can usually get a full or partial refund of your tuition, as well as a clean record."