I'm doing my own senior pictures. I need some advice on photo taking and editing?

I'm using a Nikon D40 with a 50mm f/1.8G AF-S Lens for my portraits and I'm wondering how this'll work. Any advice? I'm a beginner at photography and any tips/tricks/advice would help.

Do you have any advice for taking the photos?
Editing them?
Printing them?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm becoming desperate.

The equipment is fine. As you see, it's the operator that may be a hurdle to overcome.

You can make self-portraits by yourself. You can use the camera on a tripod with a self timer. If you go that route, place a doll or stuffed animal at your position and use it for focus. It is important to get the focus right. Using a large aperture will give you that blurry background, but be careful to have the eyes and face in focus.

Finding good lighting is the most important thing. Then comes posing. Do not face the camera squarely, and bend joints that bend. Your camera should be at about eye level, or slightly above or below, depending on how far you are from the lens and if the portrait is a full length, 3/4 or closeup. Get your exposure right in the camera. Do not blow any important highlights,

You can look at professional sites on-line and get ideas.

If you have good exposure, your post processing should be minimal. A senior portrait should represent you and the things you like, not be an example of teenage Picnik use.

Mpix is a good on-line printer. You may have a decent lab in your area. Some Costcos are good, and the occasional drugstore lab has knowledgeable staff and good work.