The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to describe how students describe how they experienced a shift from traditional to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The theoretical framework was Albert Bandura's Social Learning Theory. This theory was used as a lens to understand how students described their learning during COVID-19. COVID-19 caused a threat to everyone, as this pandemic forced global closures, including universities. The research questions that guided the study were: How do college students who experienced the shift from in person to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic describe their academic experience? How do college students who experienced the shift from in person to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic describe the strategies used during the transition? The location of this study is Southeast Oklahoma. The sample for this study was college students who were enrolled as online learners during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study used Qualitative methodology and descriptive design and presented in-depth descriptions of online learners during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data collection comprised of an online questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. Data analysis included thematic analysis with the use of codes based on the theoretical framework. The themes that derived from research were Loss of personal connection and time with professors and peers in the classroom, Developing Self-Engaging Skills to Motivate and Keep Oneself Focused, and Transition to a Different Mod of Communication and Adapting to Loss of Frequent Communication. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]