What's the best approach to take when remaining behind?

Lol been there. You're in for more of the same if you don't pull your socks all the way up. Don't keep doing shit the same way and expect your grades to go up. In my experience I don't remember shit so practice is the main squeeze. Do practice questions, try to remember things off the top of your head and pay attention to what your profs actually want from you. Not having that foundational knowledge from first year may fuck you up but a lot of courses have refreshers at the start of the term in second year at least. You may need more than a refresher though. Honestly it's just about getting as much (productive) studying in as possible. More = better.

unless you have big financial problems, time is at your disposal, studying is not a race but a quality and quantity test.

Personally, I looked up the things I didnt have in mind only in small blocks while learning the advanced stuff but as I study medicine, things are not as dependant as they are in many other mint subjects. Otherwise, take a gap year/semester and learn as much as you need

Landau!