The sudden change in the educational process paradigm with the transition to predominantly distance learning was due to quarantine restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the purpose of the research was to study the psychological motivational aspects of the transition to predominantly distance learning. The study involved 226 graduate students and 223 undergraduate students. The research revealed that without direct contact and the implementation of real practical tasks during distance learning, students lose interest in the subject under study. The conclusion is made about the uncertainty of life values among undergraduate students, which reflects their psychological immaturity, and the presence of intrapersonal contradictions may be associated with a dependent position and a struggle of motives.