Hey Ben -
Take your time and practice a whole lot this season, definitely without a group - it's important to set your own pace. Confidence is everything in this sport, that, and a clear (and well protected) head.
For helmets, more important than any brand is the fit and how it feels on your head. The most expensive helmet in the world means nothing if you don't feel comfortable wearing it. While Shoei and Nolan have the brand identity, like Darrel said, HJC is a quality lid at a great price. Other helmets worth looking at are AGV, Scorpion, AFX and Icon. If you can, go to a local shop and try on a bunch of different helmets to see which feel the most comfortable. Once you've decided on one, visit a site like
HelmetHarbor.com and order it online, you'll save a bunch of money.