Using Tintos model of student persistence (2017) we examine the impact of motivational levels for students studying accounting. The rapid shift to online learning during the pandemic, meant that students had to rapidly adjust to a different mode of delivery. Based on 102 student comments, we analysed the results using sentiment analysis to investigate if there was a difference between males and females. Males had more negative comments than their female counterparts, however there was no statistical difference. We identify themes of motivation, sense of belonging and impact to grades in the comments made and summarise the learnings so that educators can better understand the impact to students when disruption occurs. We contribute to the growing literature on sense of belonging, self-efficacy and motivation in accounting education.