If you are dating a person and feel the urge to the realm of love then you would need to keep a few things in mind. These tings again vary from person o person and one cannot draw a fixed frame for everybody. However, a few things overlap when it comes to graduating, some of which are:
This becomes an aspect of great importance as you start deciding on your partner. The more you begin to spend time with the person, the more you get to talk and interact which also tends to reaffirm his background. It won't be a bad idea to just cross check about his background from known sources so that that you ensure that you are on safe grounds!
Come what may be, do not put on an image or a disposition that is untrue. This is of vital importance because you are looking at a long term relationship and not just mere dating. This will also help you understand various aspects such as compatibility and the degree of comfort when it comes to spending time with your partner. The same applies for your partner too. Ensure that the person is also being genuine as far his / her disposition is concerned.
As you begin to know your partner, you also develop a sense of trust. Trust to confide your feelings and emotions to him / her. But there is a caveat here, do not start this early. Let it be a slow and a gradual buildup so that your partner begins to have a fell of it. If you rush into things then perhaps you might exhibit a sense of urgency and which in turn might show your sense of insecurity for your partner.
Slowly begin to show interest in your partner's likes and dislikes. This in turn will help you warm towards your partner and the same would happen the other way around. However, you would need to maintain a little degree of restrain and ensure that you do not overdo this. This could lead to irritation and your partner might feel an invasion of his /her space. So understand your limits and be warm all the same!
As the time spent increases between you and your partner, the degree of intimacy also grows. This is a natural phenomenon. It is always better for the curve to be a slow and rising one instead of a steep climbing one. The disadvantage in the latter is that the relationship runs the risk of losing steam too early and become a bit dull