Perhaps the most important thing to remember Lucy is that you're not tested on holds as part of an IMC test. Of course, if you're using your IMC rating in anger you might one day have to hold, but if you're flying a slow plane in England almost any attempt at a hold will be okay. Maintaining your level is important, but otherwise you've got loads of space. Once you've been doing instrument flying for a while they'll get easier (and/or you'll use a moving map GPS).