I cannot remember where I heard this but here goes anyways, don't do reality checks to see if you are awake, do reality checks to prove you are dreaming. In other words, don't flick on a lamp and it worked and say "Oh well I'm awake." instead say, "Hmm... well the lamped worked the first time, but if I am dreaming it will do something weired next time I try." And then try again. Or better yet, before you try it once think/say "when I turn on this lamp my windows will shatter and my dog will come to talk with me." It doesn't really matter if you have a dog or not because, as I stated earlier, you are trying to prove that you are dreaming

My favorite reality check is pinching my nose and trying to breathe through it, it will (for me at least) always work. of course you could make up a reality check like... If my neighbor's house explodes, then I am dreaming!!
but don't jump out a window yet! you never know when terrorist will attack your neighbor