The implementation of distance learning during a pandemic era faces various obstacles. This study explores information about how the implementation of distance learning to first semester of freshment students (new students) and what obstacles they face. This research is a descriptive qualitative research. The data sources consisted of new students, lecturers, and learning result documents. The data were collected by distributing questionnaires using Google Forms, interviews, and document studies. The study results show that the massive application of distance learning in the State Islamic University of Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang began in March 2020. It coincides with the spread of the coronavirus in Malang City. The data reveals that, the implementation of distance learning can be grouped into five categories, namely effective, moderately effective, casual, less effective, and ineffective. The six most frequently complained problems were the low quality of the internet connections, the much spending of buying internet data, the fatigue due to staring at the devices' screen for too long, the difficulty in accessing references, the poor communications, and the lack of materials comprehension explained by lecturers. However, these six obstacles do not entirely affect the respondents' motivation to learn. As a consequence, improvements in the quality of infrastructure and services have to be carried out to maximize the quality of distance learning.