You don't have to buy text books if you don't need to use them because they are very expensive. There is another book store called "Haven Books" close to CU. You can buy/sell new or used books. Their website is www.havenbooks.ca
Normally the professors won't care if you use copys.
Direct study is that you discuss with Professor what you need to learn. Professor will give you topic or work to do. There are no lectures for direct study. Normally you will pick a professor whose study field you are interested in.
Seminar is that you give a lecture/speech in front of professors and other students about what you are studying or what is your research, basically is what you've done. Don't know how to get high mark.