To succeed in an online course, you need to be:

motivated
self-directed
willing to work on your own

Online courses are not for everyone. They are neither easier nor more difficult than on-campus courses, but they do require more dedication and self-discipline from the student. If you like to interact face-to-face with a professor and classmates, or if you have difficulty managing your time, this might not be the best course delivery mode for you. However, if you can read and understand technical information, follow instructions as given, and solve computer problems on your own without asking for much help, online instruction should work well for you. Good time management skills, self-discipline, and motivation are required to successfully complete an online course.

There are several differences between an online course and a face-to-face course. Some of what I believe are the primary differences are that

It can feel overwhelming—especially in the first week. You’ve probably forgotten how ill-at-ease you felt when you first went to school, but taking an online class for the first time is very similar. It takes a while to learn your way around the “virtual campus.”
Online courses fit more easily into your schedule. However, since you will do most of your work at home, it requires more self-discipline in setting aside time to study and participate in the course’s learning activities and reviewing the resources.
As in any course in which you want to do well, this course will take more time than you expect. You must remember that in a seated class, you meet in class for 2 1/2 hours/ week and then should spend 12 hours (recommended) outside of class studying per week studying for the course. The expectations are the same in an online course but you have the flexibility of how to spend your time.
All reminders of when things are due are electronic. If you don’t access the course regularly, you may miss key assignments and due dates.
You will collect, reflect on, and respond to information that you have gathered. In an online course, responsibility for learning rests equally on participants and facilitators.
An online course works best when you enjoy using technology and interacting with others online.

The primary thing to remember is that the expectations of the course, regardless of the format, are the same. it is your responsibility to participate in the course and to communicate with your instructor when you are having difficulties. Online courses are not easier, in a sense they are slightly more difficult as more responsibility falls on the learner to understand the content.