Big pink button on the right side of the screen for returning players is targeted at exactly your scenario.
My thoughts though, run the light level 320 strikes once you can, then 350 strikes. They each drop 2 pieces of blue gear at the end that should be a level up to you.
Run crucible and Iron Banner when you can. Get the iron banner and Shax bounties as they drop good gear. Iron banner generally drops an upgrade every 4-5 rounds regardless of if you win or loose. Ensure your light is at the highest it can be before turning in a bounty.
When Xur is in town this weekend, go buy lots of 3 of coins. Basicaly make sure you have one of those on EVERY crucible match and every strike boss. Use only one, you'll see the buff on your character screen. It significantly increases the potential to drop an exotic piece of gear.
Donate ammo synths to a faction and pick the reward where you most need an upgrade. If you have strange coins, buy lots of heavy synth from xur. Have glimmer, dude on the reef sells heavy synth for like 250+ ether seeds. I think you need 100 synths per level.
Walk into archons forge in the public space SLOWLY, Seriously, take like 60-90 seconds to go down that hallway from the outside. It will increase your matchmaking odds. Just kill stuff in there with large groups of people. Low quality loot pinata.
Always make sure you are at max level before decrypting, turning in bounties, iron banner match ends, etc.
Last but not least, include your system and psn/xbox tag here and some people will probably drag you along for crap.