About the recall problem: I have a similar problem with the songs in my head. All you can really do is just try to think about something else, preferably something that'll help you get lucid. Try your best to focus on your breaths and get relaxed until you don't hear the song any more. It's a pretty annoying thing, especially when it happens after you're starting to autosuggest.

About dream signs: It's something to note if you're trying to DILD. Every time you see your school or something related to it, do a reality check. If you make that enough of a habit, when you see it in your dream (which, if it's your dream sign, is often), you might do a reality check there and get lucid.

About middle of the night wake ups: Just get up and do it. No simpler way to do it. However, when you're already awake, you might want to try doing some WBTB techniques.