Studying in college requires students to have critical thinking skills, independent learning, and good self-regulation to manage student performance in college assignments. This research is longitudinal research with a mixed method: exploratory sequential design. The research respondents were 128 high school students. Collecting data through questionnaires, interviews, and written tests. Data were analyzed through the Pearson Correlation test. The research was conducted for one semester by applying problem-based learning in mathematics class. This study aims to explore the extent to which the contribution of self-regulation and independent learning in the formation of students' critical thinking skills as preparation for entering college. The results showed that conceptually critical thinking skills, independent learning, and self-regulation have a close and interrelated relationship. In the learning process (mathematics), independent learning and self-regulation dynamically improve students' critical thinking skills.