A key factor in assessing your potential for effective online learning is your level of self-discipline. Students sometimes misconstrue that online classes are less rigorous or time-consuming. Instead, they require more self-discipline, time management and motivation to complete work. Limited interaction and access to instructors and no personal contact with other students are also common drawbacks. While effective online instructors are available via e-mail, phone and web conferencing, you don't have the same interpersonal relationship in most cases. The potential for miscommunication and misunderstandings is more prevalent online as well, especially given the lack of context and nonverbal messages in e-mail and discussion forums.