Is a total derivative the same thing as a directional derivative? Total derivatives are calculated very similar to directional derivatives and I was wondering are they one and the same? 
If not, what is the difference between them?

No it is not.
Total derivative;
$$
dF = \mbox{grad} \, F \cdot dx = \sum_i \partial_i F \, dx_i
$$
Directional derivative:
$$
\frac{\partial F }{\partial n} = \mbox{grad} \, F \cdot n = \sum_i \partial_i F \, n_i
$$
where $n$ is a unit vector which is used to specify the desired direction.
