Designed for students enrolled in telecourses offered by Evergreen Valley College (EVC) on an independent study basis, this guide explains the role of telecourses in the college curriculum, differences and similarities between telecourses and traditional courses, procedures for contacting instructors, and the roles of the college and the student in independent learning. The first sections offer general information on telecourses, indicating that: (1) a telecourse is a complete integrated instructional system that includes television programs, a textbook, and other course materials; (2) telecourse students differ from traditional students in that they work independently, watching the television programs and reading print materials at home with guidance from the course instructor; (3) telecourses are equivalent to traditional courses in terms of academic rigor, faculty qualifications, student requirements, and credit; (4) research has demonstrated the instructional effectiveness of telecourses; and (5) maturity and self-discipline are the marks of a successful telecourse student. After reviewing research findings on the characteristics of telecourse students, the manual explains the role of the telecourse instructor and the Independent Study Office, and reviews procedures for communicating with faculty. Finally, the guide offers practical suggestions for student success, encouraging the student to attend orientation, review course materials and the broadcast schedule, avoid interruptions, take good notes, view the program a second time, attend review sessions, and take advantage of related learning activities. (AAZC)