It is always worth writing the residual information down. This may not seem like so, but doing so may actually help you recall what you have forgotten. There have been numerous times when I went to write down a dream, and by writing down the fragmented parts that I recalled I suddenly remembered more of the dream. Therefore, you should always right down your fragments, as they may help you remember more of the dream.
Also, just the act of writing anything down is sending a signal to your subconscious that this is important, remember it! Likewise, not writing it down diminishes its importance. Therefore, again, you should always write down your fragments as they reinforce in your mind that dreams are important.
As to your condition with school / laziness: it is best that you trump laziness immediately and become diligent with your DJ. I’ve recently discovered that discipline is very very important when it comes to remembering your dreams. If you really want to recall your dreams and have the chance to have lucid ones you really, REALLY need to write them down. By doing so you become more familiar with the dream world, and you become more familiar with the unique aspects that set it apart from WL.
When it comes to school, I sing a similar tune. You need to at least try to keep up with your DJ during school. I myself am in college, and awake everyday at 7:30 to go to class. (After breakfast and getting dressed and stuff… ) I usually don’t start writing my dreams down until after 12:30, and then they may not get finished until after 4 PM or 9 PM on some days. (Scheduling.)
For example, this morning I had two NDs and a single LD. (This is a record for me for this recall “period”: three separate dreams in one night. By period I mean uninterrupted set of time in which I’ve diligently kept my dream journal: current is about 2 months. The record for me is 3 months no intermission. But back to the example: ) I have yet to write them down due to my classes, yet I still recall them… fully… in decent detail… This is something that I call Persistent Recall, and something that I have been working on for the entire past period. Recall (;p Punny…) that a period is an uninterrupted set of days in which I’ve diligently kept my DJ. I intend for this to be my last. Discipline is important, thus, I will attempt to not stop writing my dreams down. Ever.
Long paragraph… Sorry. My point, simply put, is that you must DJ. It greatly improves your recall, both long-term and level of detail. If you’re having trouble getting your recall off the ground, then I’d suggest doing a WBTB and trying to remember dreams that way. Of course, you could just write the bits and pieces you recall day to day down, and over time, if you persist, your recall will improve.
Well… since most of that was directed at a topic other than the one the thread was created for, I’ll post my thoughts about the thread here. (Again long post, sorry… )
dB_FTS: I greatly agree with you. in fact, it greatly describes my last three years of LDing. I was gung-ho about dreams in general when I first started LDing. So much so in fact that two days after I began I had my first and second LDs. Since then it was an approximate downhill bumpy road in which I on and off kept my DJ and rarely had LDs. I was let down, discouraged. I had forgotten how wonderful dreams are in general.
Now, I’m hoping to change that. I still want to have regular LDs, but I’m aiming for consistent recall before I go for consistent LDs. Any LDs I have right now are just icing. They are something nice, but not the main goal for my level of experience.
(Again: Long LONG post… Sorry… ) Well said, man. Well said.