At our flying school we were always flogging off into imc in Cessna's and Piper's, only way you could make any money during English winter (and summers!).
Think most of the time you just keep your fingers crossed.
Even if the forecast is supposed to be 1000' cloud base it can very quickly lower in rain.
I had a partial engine failure whilst above cloud and deep haze. You find yourself not only trying to keep engine going but also trying to fix exactly where you are ....not good. I learnt that you should get someone else to do the nav., call for a QDM or get radar fix so that you can concentrate on the main problem. Also keep ontop of your position, bit tricky when constantly turning back and fourth doing upper air work, but at least you know the terrain below.