Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the literature regarding the academic online learning experience under the lens of broad personality traits, in the transition from traditional to online learning due to global coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). Design/methodology/approach: The systematic literature review is based on preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) method and includes indexed empirical studies in academic institutes during the period of COVID-19 outbreak. Findings: Electronic sources identified 103 references; while after the elimination of duplicates and irrelevant titles, 42 papers were forwarded for abstract screening and later full-text assessment. Of these, 14 met the eligibility criteria. Finally, nine studies were included in the literature review profiling and in the qualitative analysis. Originality/value: The research insights provided in this study are useful in terms of enhancing the view that link broad personality traits and various learning outcomes, during the necessitated transition to online learning by the public health emergency of the COVID-19 pandemic.