My oven tends to burn food, what tips do you have for making my turkey turn out?

My question, 1). I am living in a small apartment and I have very little counter space. What can I cook ahead for Thanksgiving to make more room for my cooking day? 2). I have an old oven, sometimes it doesn't cook correctly or burns food, I have to put the temperature at a lower setting so as to avoid this issue. Where should I put the temp for a 11.34lb. turkey and the oven rack. I have never had a problem before cooking in other places I have lived but this oven is tricky. Thank you!