Tip #1: Communicate!
Talk to me! Talk to your fellow students!
Communication is very important in online learning. Your instructor and classmates don't see you face to face, so it's up to you to communicate if you have any questions, problems, or feedback.
Although it might feel like you are all alone, you're not! You are participating in a virtual learning world.
Just like the physical world, it's okay to ask for help when you have an online class. The best way to ask a question is by posting questions in the weekly question/answer forums so that everybody can read the answer. Otherwise, the best way to contact your instructor is by sending a message through Canvas or by email (kthornley@santarosa.edu).
Here's a photo of me at Machu Picchu (Peru)! You can see that I'm a friendly sort... so talk to me!!