How do I remeber my dreams while using an alarm clock?

**Ashadow700** · 08-30-2012 11:23 AM

Hey everyone.

So, I have been trying to learn how to lucid dream for about two weeks now and so far things have been going along smoothly enough.
Thing is, on Monday I'm going back to university again after summer vacation, meaning that can not wake up naturally in the mornings anymore. I'm allmost certainly going to be forced to use an alarm clock to wake me up, and from what I have read on this forum, doing so may prevent me from being able to remember the dreams I had that night.
So, my question; is does anyone of you know some way to work around this problem?

Also, this is my first post here. Nice to meet you all.

**Onironauta** · 08-30-2012 11:33 AM

I am no expert, but for what I have learned, it shouldn't be a problem, in fact, it should help you recall dreams. The fact is that if you wake up by yourself, the thing is probably gonna be gradual, leaving you the time to forget your dreams. If the alarm clock rings waking you up instantly, you should still have the dream clear in your mind, ready to be written in your dream journal.
Hope I am right, feel free to correct me

**Chewnie91** · 08-30-2012 07:59 PM

As Onironauta has mentioned above, it should not be a problem. Not so long as you take the time to lay there still and let your dreams come pack to you and piece them together. If you get up and fly out of bed and start getting ready theres a good chance you will not remember them. Just close your eyes stay still and let them come back to your mind.

**ShadowOfSelf** · 08-30-2012 09:52 PM

Great way that helped me was to set my alarm to go off at multiple times throughout the day (about 4/5 a day) and get into the habit of immediately thinking "What was I dreaming?" Obviously there won't be a dream when practicing throughout the day so instead retrace your steps of the past 15mins-hour, which is a great practice in and of itself.

The problem I had at one stage was my first thought upon awakening was "Arghhh damn alarm clock" (*hits snooze button* back to sleep) = dream gone.

After doing this practice for a day my alarm clock became not my cue to wake up, but to remember my dream.

**Mancon** · 09-03-2012 08:51 AM

Put a note that says "DREAMS" on the clock and make sure that is the first thing you see and think of in the morning. Lay in bed for a minutes just thinking abut your dreams and hopefully they will come to you!

**Bobblehat** · 09-03-2012 09:34 AM

People have brief awakenings after REM. You can use the mantra "I'll wake up after my next dream and remember it" and find yourself waking up several times a night and remembering the dream you've just had. I don't use mantras anymore, but I find that just reflecting on my intention before bed puts my recall up.

**paigeyemps** · 09-04-2012 04:16 AM

I agree with the previous posts. When you wake up from your alarm, just lay in bed and try remembering your dreams. Don't get up right away and do stuff, because those first few minutes upon waking up are very crucial. You could easily forget your dreams by then. So just lay down calmly and try to recall anything. Try going through your dream signs and think if they may have been in your dreams, and if you remember one, keep connecitng the dots. If you could set a mild alarm that will not jolt you too much but still wake you up, that'd be great too.