Is there anything that recent (or not-so-recent) IFR students wish you
had done in preparation for training? (specific books to read, home
flight simulator)

I'm also in the pre-IFR stage and would like to add the following question
to Jonathon's. Is there anything in particular to look for in an instrument
instructor (in addition to the criteria used when finding a private pilot
instructor)?

Thanks,
- Ray