I've been reading these forums for a while but been too lazy to post anything. thought I'd stick something in here though.
I completed my IMC rating a few months ago and have already needed to use it (after "forgetting" that visibility in haze is quite bad when flying into the sun). and it has certainly improved my flying in general
I was taught all the theory on holds and entry to holds before having to fly any and I was told that there was no real need to be accurate in a hold, aslong as you can find your way back to the beacon after a reasonable length on time, and preferably from the right direction. All the seperation required in hold is done with altitude, so there is no real danger of flying into anyone if you are a bit off.