So really no different.
That was actually my first encounter with IFR. Instructor and I flew to CYEG from CYDQ for my commercial ride. 4 hour flight in 172, December, VFR. Flew home that night, VFR and about half way could make out a darker than normal sky in front of us that turned out to be an unexpected snowstorm over CYZU that stretched about 100 nm both sides of our flight path. My Instructor was IFR rated and he filed IFR. My first experience in real IMC with a frosted windshield. Not the same as a hood. He kept asking me why I was turning left. 
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